By Francois de la Roche
Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2018

Production Details
Origin: Loire, France
Appellation: Touraine
Vineyard: Flinty-clay soils
Blend: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Average Age of Vines: 30-years old
Farming: Grapes are separated by plot, and selected at the peak of ripeness
Winemaking: Grapes are sorted and pressed. Fermentation is done in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats.

The Vineyard
In the heart of the Cher Valley of the Loire region, the vineyards of Francois de la Roche are located around the two villages of Oisly and Thesee. The soils around these two towns are different, and each brings different characteristics to the wine. Around Oisly, the soils are comprised of flint and quartz gravel with a subsoil of clay. These compositions impart a distinct minerality to the wine. Thesee soils are composed of clay-siliceous and a clay-chalk mix. These soil types add a richness to the structure and a depth of flavor to the wine. The vines average 30-years of age. The vineyards require canopy management through leaf plucking and green harvesting, as Sauvignon Blanc is a very prolific variety. Harvesting is done only when the grapes are at their peak ripeness. This provides a more aromatic, fresh, and better-balanced wine with lovely acidity. After harvesting, the grapes are pressed and then fermented in stainless steel vats at a low temperature. This preserves the aromatics in the final wine.

Vintage Notes
A dark, wet, and cold winter in the Loire persisted well into March, and it was only with the advent of much warmer weather in April that budburst took place (the 21st was the warmest April day on record). The frost danger receded with a very wet May and early June, though this caused some mildew losses. Flowering went well in early June, and from mid-June, the weather pattern became stable, with hot, dry, and sunny weather. It was the hottest summer since 2003, and the driest since 1945, eliminating stubborn mildew outbreaks. Sunny, dry weather persisted throughout the harvest period, allowing to pick healthy grapes.

Wine Characteristics
2018 vintage is pure, linear, stony, and mineral with keen acidity and bright citrus fruit. Refined and quite pure with grapefruit and a bit of pithiness. Very stylish, showing an elegant, linear expression of the Loire Sauvignon Blanc.
[Information provided by Serge Dore Selections]

Francois de la Roche 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Touraine
Rating: 90 Points (Exceptional)
Award: Gold Medal
Category: Sauvignon Blanc
Date Tasted: 4/2/2019
Country: France
Alcohol: 12.50%
Straw color. Aromas of snipped chives, citron, key lime curd, and snapdragon with a satiny, vibrant, dryish light body and a sleek, compelling, medium-length nectarine and thyme finish with no oak flavor. An instantly satisfying Sauvignon Blanc with classic herbal nuance and lip-smacking acidity; drink now.