Sancerre Le Roc 2014
Domaine Pascal Jolivet
Terroir: Situated 125 miles south of Paris, the Sancerre landscape undulates at an altitude between 650 and 1,300 feet. The Loire River on the Eastern side of the hilly environment creates a relatively temperate microclimate for the wines. Locate high over the village of Saint-Satur, the vineyard of Le Roc encompasses approximately 22 acres, 5 of which are owned by Pascal Jolivet. Exposure here is south/southeast with soils here are composed primarily of flint. The domaine purchased this vineyard in 2011.
Vinification: The wine is vinified in small 7 hectoliter vertical ovoid tanks (concrete, egg shaped tanks), demi-muids (600l used oak barrels), and temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. and then held on its lees for 12 months.
Additional Information
Crisp citrus and gooseberry flavors intertwine in this spicy and fresh wine. Partial aging in stainless steel has given the wine a vanilla while also offering breadth to the palate. A remarkable, complex wine with strong minerality.
Technical Details
- Appellation: Sancerre
- Sustainability: Organic Practices
- Primary Soil: Flint
- Alcohol: <14%
- Varietals: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Recent Press
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Score: 90 Points
The Wine Advocate Author: Stephan Reinhardt
Date: Friday, December 2, 2016Sourced in a two hectare plot of the corresponding nine hectare parcel in Saint-Satur (silex soils), Jolivet's golden-yellow 2014 Sancerre Le Roc indicates a super ripe (and partly overripe) tropical and gooseberry fruit on the nose along with some yeasty, floral and spicy flavors. Partly fermented in egg-shaped 16-hectoliter cuvees, in demi-muids and stainless-steel tanks, and raised on the lees for 12 months, this is a full-bodied, piquant, fresh and elegant, slightly creamy textured Sancerre; it has clear and refreshing gooseberry aromas and a pronounced acidity. The wine may bear a kiss of oak or bttonage to tame the racy acidity, but it has a nice structure and lingering minerality. However, I don't find it extraordinarily long or complex. -
Score: 93 Points
Wine Enthusiast Author: Roger Voss
Date: Friday, October 7, 2016"This wine comes from a single vineyard, planted on flint soil. It has a definite steely character that has been softened by the year in bottle. That gives a pure wine shot through with citrus and apples showing power and concentration from the intense fruit, Drink the wine now."Grade: Best of the Year, 2016 -
JancisRobinson.com Author: Jancis Robinson
Date: Tuesday, August 30, 2016From a 2.01 ha parcel in a 22-ha St-Satur vineyard dominated by flint which represents just 15% of the Sancerre vignoble. This is the most recent land acquisition of the domaine, bought in 2011. The wine is vinified in 7-hl vertical ovoid tanks, in demi-muids and in stainless steel. Maturation on fine lees for 12 months. Jolivet suggest this wine is aerated before tasting,Low key but savoury, intriguing nose. The most sophisticated and complex of the single-vineyard Sancerre 2014s from this address. Very appetising and well balanced. Very exciting indeed.Grade: 17/20pts -
Score: 91 Points
Wine Spectator Author: James Molesworth
Date: Thursday, August 25, 2016Pitch-perfect Sauvignon Blanc, with white peach and verbena notes mixed with gooseberry and lemon zest hints, all carried by a long, tarragon- and chive-accented finish. Drink now through 2017. -
Score: 91 Points
JamesSuckling.com Author: James Suckling
Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2016"Deep nose with a currant leaf and chalky character. Medium body with an oily texture and a fresh finish. Strong acidity and grapefruit undertones. Drink now."
