Laurent Saillard Blank Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Country: France

Region: Loire

Type: White Wine

Grape: Sauvignon Blanc

After many years working in food and wine in New York City, notably as co-founder and chef of ICI in Fort Greene, Laurent moved to the Loire Valley to begin a new life among the vines making the wines he had always loved. After working in the vineyard for both Noella Morantin and Clos Roche Blanche, he began experimenting with his own wine in the cellar. After Noella purchased a few hectares of vines elsewhere, she transferred a portion of the parcel she had been renting within the clos to Laurent so he could began vinifying his own wine in earnest.

After a few small vintages, Didier and Catherine of Clos Roche Blanche announced that they would be retiring. And with no children who wanted to take over the domaine, they offered it first to Laurent and another worker who was with them for years, Julien Pineau. They now each own 6 hectares of this historic estate and have continued farming the same way it has always been done. The wines are a fascinating new take on this unique terroir as Laurent comes into his own as one of the great winemakers in the region.

Blank is Sauvignon Blanc from Laurent's oldest (50 year-old) vines; a wildly layered, dense and complex expression of the grape variety, from the famed vines of the Clos Roche Blanche. Aged for 7 months, bottled with no additions. This is a serious wine with beautiful texture, length and freshness.