Domaine Didier Dagueneau - Vin de France - XXI - Blanc - 2021

Wine:

Due to a severe frost that devastated various parts of his vineyard, Louis-Benjamin Dagueneau decided to combine his 2021 harvest into a single, unique cuvée. The 2021 white Vin de France XXI offers a fresh balance, with noble vegetal notes that have become rare in recent years. Moreover, it possesses an extremely tasty richness and a delicate texture grain supported by beautiful bitters, all nourished by meticulous aging in wooden barrels and ovoid wooden tanks. Patience is required, as it will take five to six years to relax and open up. There is no doubt that it will evolve serenely for more than fifteen years. Rated 94/100 by RVF.

Vinification:

Hand harvested. Aged for 12 months in oak barrels and ovoid wooden vats.

The estate's one and only wine in 2021, due to a terrible frost that devastated various parts of its vineyards.

Color:

Bright light gold.

Nose:

Noble herbal notes, hints of gentian.

Palate:

With its great purity, this wine offers fresh balance, extremely tasty fullness, noble oak and a delicate texture carried by beautiful bitters.

Temperature:

Serve between 10 and 12°C. Decant before serving.

Food and wine pairing:

Lobster au gratin with tarragon butter, langoustines in tempura, roasted turbot, curried sweetbreads, goat cheeses such as the famous Crottin de Chavignol.

Cellar aging:

Starting today, ideally from 2028 onwards, until 2038 and beyond for enthusiasts.

Domaine Didier Dagueneau is a towering figure in the worlds of Loire Valley and Jurançon wines, setting the standard for connoisseurs everywhere. Renowned for its exceptional fruit, radiant freshness, and profound persistence, the wines leave an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to taste them. Nearly impossible for individual buyers to procure and typically reserved for prestigious restaurants, these cuvées are often traded discreetly, accessible only to a select few.

An article featured in our magazine detailed this extraordinary success: prolonged lees aging is foundational in their pursuit of the grape’s crystalline expression, further refined by precise barrel aging in 320-liter "cigar" or 600-liter "tonne" barrels. Under the guidance of Louis-Benjamin Dagueneau, who has led the estate for over a decade, the domaine continues its tradition of artisanal excellence, a legacy begun by his father.