The Estate

Damien Laureau came from a farming but non-winemaking family, but after early experiences with his uncle at Clos Frémur, he struck out on his own in 1999 after purchasing vineyards in the prestigious appellation of Savennières. He now has a little over 10 hectares of vines scattered across several sites in the appellation. His work in the vineyard has long been organic, although it is only recently that he has sought official certification of his practices. He has oats, clover and other greenery planted between the rows, feeling that this benefits the soil, bringing life and breaking up the soil structure, and when the soil is worked over the oats act as a natural fertiliser. A typical figure for the yield across the entire domaine would be about 28 hl/ha.

The Chenin Blanc produced from this estate is now amongst the best in the appellation, and unlike some Chenin Blanc that may be hard to approach when young from the region in the past, the estate’s wines give pleasure for both immediate drinking and long term cellaring.

Viticulture and Vinification

Like many producers in the appellation Damien and his team pass through the vines picking according to ripeness, but Damien adds another layer of complexity here, sorting the grapes according to terroir of origin. As a result, Damien’s two principal cuvées give a rare glimpse into the terroirs of the Savennières appellation which, although dominated by schist, includes a complex diversity of soil types. The fruit sourced from more sandy-silty soils is destined for Les Genets, an earlier-drinking cuvée, whereas that from schist gives a much firmer, longer-lived wine named Le Bel Ouvrage.

Vinifications are conservative, with fermentation by indigenous yeast and a very controlled use of sulphur dioxide. Each cuvée then sees an eighteen-month élevage, with Les Genets largely held in fibreglass vat for the entire period, with just 10% remaining in barrel, whereas Le Bel Ouvrage will see a year in barrel and then at least six months in fibreglass cuve. During the first year in barrel there is no bâtonnage, as Damien considers this an artificial method of enriching the wine, something which he feels should be achieved in the vineyard rather than the cellar. The finished wines are bottled under natural cork.

Wines Produced

L'Alliance

Around 1,500 cases produced per year, the estate’s entry level Chenin Blanc.

lES GENÊts

Around 650 cases produced per year.

lE bel ouvrage

Around 750 cases produced per year.

roche aux moines

Only around 100 cases produced per year, a brilliant example from this exalted vineyard.

Critical Praise

“His Le Bel Ouvrage cuvée, from schistous soils, is pure, intense and precise, while Les Genêts, sourced from sandstone and schist, is fine with scintillating aromas.”

Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous.com

“Damien is already a significant name in Savennières, as the wines that he produces from these vines are among the best in the appellation… here we have one of the greatest domaines of the appellation, one that is well worth seeking out.”

Chris Kissack, The Wine Doctor

GENERAL INFORMATION

Country:  France

Region:  Loire Valley

Appellation:  Savennières

Founded:  1999

Annual Production:  3,500 cases

Farming: Organic