About this WINE
Sylvain Loichet
The Loichets come from Comblanchien (southern end of Cote de Nuits), as well known for its marble quarrying industry as for its vines. Indeed the previous two generations of Loichets have been stone masons rather than vignerons but they kept ownership of their vineyards (Cote de Nuits Villages, Clos de Vougeot and Ladoix blanc) which the talented Sylvain (early 20s) has taken back.
Since he does not own enough vines to make a really decent living, he has added some well chosen negociant cuvees (mostly white) which are equally impressive. The white wines are made with a great sense of precision and are full of energy. The reds are vigorous, full of fruit and look set to age very well.
Ladoix
The Ladoix appellation is designated for red and white (from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay respectively) wines produced in the commune of Ladoix-Serrigny in Côte de Beaune of Burgundy.
Red wines are in the majority (three-quarters) . Some of the Premier Cru vineyards of Ladoix-Serrigny are part of the Aloxe-Corton AOC of the neighbouring village rather than of Ladoix AOC, and vinified and sold as Aloxe-Corton Premier Cru.
There are 11 climats within the Ladoix AOC that are designated as Premier Cru vineyards:
- La Corvée , Le Clou d’Orge , La Micaude, Basses Mourottes, Hautes Mourottes (Red & white Wines)
- Les Buis, Les Joyeuses, Bois Roussot (Red wines only)
- Les Grêchons, En Naget, Le Rognet et Corton (White Wines only)
The climats located within the commune of Ladoix-Serrigny but are classified as Aloxe-Corton Premiers Crus (red wines only) are:
Clos des Maréchaudes, La Maréchaude , Les Petites Lolières, Les Moutottes, La Coutière, La Toppe au Vert.
The Grand Cru appellations of the Corton hill are overlapping in some areas, and are shared among three communes; Pernand-Vergelesses, Aloxe-Corton (major part) and Ladoix-Serrigny. Hence some of the Corton and Aloxe Corton vineyards which partially fall within Ladoix-Serrigny may be used for both red and white wine.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is often seen as the king of white wine grapes and one of the most widely planted in the world It is suited to a wide variety of soils, though it excels in soils with a high limestone content as found in Champagne, Chablis, and the Côte D`Or.
Burgundy is Chardonnay's spiritual home and the best White Burgundies are dry, rich, honeyed wines with marvellous poise, elegance and balance. They are unquestionably the finest dry white wines in the world. Chardonnay plays a crucial role in the Champagne blend, providing structure and finesse, and is the sole grape in Blanc de Blancs.
It is quantitatively important in California and Australia, is widely planted in Chile and South Africa, and is the second most widely planted grape in New Zealand. In warm climates Chardonnay has a tendency to develop very high sugar levels during the final stages of ripening and this can occur at the expense of acidity. Late picking is a common problem and can result in blowsy and flabby wines that lack structure and definition.
Recently in the New World, we have seen a move towards more elegant, better- balanced and less oak-driven Chardonnays, and this is to be welcomed.
When is a wine ready to drink?
We provide drinking windows for all our wines. Alongside the drinking windows there is a bottle icon and a maturity stage. Bear in mind that the best time to drink a wine does also depend on your taste.
Not ready
These wines are very young. Whilst they're likely to have lots of intense flavours, their acidity or tannins may make them feel austere. Although it isn't "wrong" to drink these wines now, you are likely to miss out on a lot of complexity by not waiting for them to mature.
Ready - youthful
These wines are likely to have plenty of fruit flavours still and, for red wines, the tannins may well be quite noticeable. For those who prefer younger, fruitier wines, or if serving alongside a robust meal, these will be very enjoyable. If you choose to hold onto these wines, the fruit flavours will evolve into more savoury complexity.
Ready - at best
These wines are likely to have a beautiful balance of fruit, spice and savoury flavours. The acidity and tannins will have softened somewhat, and the wines will show plenty of complexity. For many, this is seen as the ideal time to drink and enjoy these wines. If you choose to hold onto these wines, they will become more savoury but not necessarily more complex.
Ready - mature
These wines are likely to have plenty of complexity, but the fruit flavours will have been almost completely replaced by savoury and spice notes. These wines may have a beautiful texture at this stage of maturity. There is lots to enjoy when drinking wines at this stage. Most of these wines will hold in this window for a few years, though at the very end of this drinking window, wines start to lose complexity and decline.
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Description
Sylvain uses a little touch of vanilla oak to calm the habitual exotic fruit of this favourite Cuvée. Lemon tinted plums dance on the palate alongside just the right acidity and it displays great length for a village wine and a super personality. This vineyard is now a Monopole as Sylvain bottles the whole production himself.
Jasper Morris MW,Berrys' Burgundy Director Sylvain has become a superb purveyor of interesting white wines which deliver both quality and value for money, with the two Ladoix Cuvées being particularly noteworthy. He is also softening his style of red wine vinification. All the wines age for up to 18 months in his gloriously cool stone vaulted cellars in Chorey-lès-Beaune and from 2011, all of Sylvain Loichet’s own vineyards are certified AB (Agriculture Biologique) organic.
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