Domaine Didier Dagueneau : Cuvée XXI 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for Cuvée XXI 2021 from Domaine Didier Dagueneau

Tasting

Appearance
The appearance unveils a pale yellow color with golden highlights.

Nose
The nose opens with expressive aromas of lemon and citrus zest, accompanied by herbaceous notes of chervil and coriander. With aeration, floral nuances of elderflower and lemon blossom are revealed, while mineral impressions of wet flint and chalk add complexity. Touches of white fruit, notably pear and white peach, complete this refined bouquet.

Palate
On the palate, this dry white wine seduces with its concentration and liveliness. The attack is lively, carried by a natural acidity that structures the whole. The palate reveals flavors of lemon zest, lemongrass, gooseberry, and green apple, enhanced by subtle notes of passion fruit and a saline touch. The texture is silky and creamy, the result of extended aging on lees. The balance between richness and freshness gives this wine remarkable tension. The finish is persistent and elegant, marked by a crystalline minerality and a slight bitterness that is the signature of the finest Sauvignon Blancs.

Food and wine pairings

Cuvée XXI 2021 is an ideal accompaniment to grilled or baked fish such as sea bass or cod. It also pairs very well with seafood and oysters, underscoring their briny freshness. Crustaceans like shrimp, clams, or scallops find a choice partner in this wine. Roasted white meats, notably poultry, as well as pasta with herbs or lemon make excellent pairings. Vegetarian dishes based on green vegetables, mixed salads with fresh herbs, warm goat cheese on toast, or asparagus harmonize perfectly with this wine. It can also be enjoyed as an aperitif, where its complexity and balance are fully revealed.

Service and cellaring

Cuvée XXI 2021 should be tasted at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. This wine possesses excellent cellaring potential and can be kept in the cellar until around 2035. A aging period of five to seven years will allow the wine to fully develop its complexity and secondary aromas.

A fresh and lively Vin de France by Didier Dagueneau

The estate

Domaine Didier Dagueneau was created in 1982 in Saint-Andelain, in the Loire Valley. A former motorcycle racer and sled dog racing world champion, Didier Dagueneau revolutionized the perception of Sauvignon Blanc by producing wines of exceptional complexity and depth. After his tragic death in 2008, his son Louis-Benjamin Dagueneau took over the management of the estate at the age of 25, talented perpetuated his father's philosophy of excellence and respect for the terroir. Today, the estate extends over approximately 12 hectares distributed between Pouilly-Fumé, Sancerre, and Jurançon. Recognized worldwide, Domaine Didier Dagueneau produces wines that count among the greatest Sauvignon Blancs in the world, capable of rivaling the best whites of Burgundy.

The vineyard

Cuvée XXI 2021 is a Vin de France produced from the blend of all the best plots of the estate located in Pouilly-Fumé. The vines are planted on the hill of Saint-Andelain, the appellation's emblematic terroir, where the soils vary between flint, clay, and limestone. This geological diversity confers a remarkable mineral complexity to the wines. The vineyard is managed according to biodynamic principles, with yields voluntarily limited to 45 hectoliters per hectare, well below regional standards. Meticulous manual work is carried out throughout the year, with a ratio of one worker per hectare. The soils are plowed regularly, sometimes using horses, to encourage deep rooting of the vines. Harvesting is done manually at optimal maturity, with rigorous sorting of the grapes.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in the Loire Valley was marked by particularly difficult weather conditions. A devastating frost in spring damaged a significant portion of the buds and flowers, drastically reducing the harvest potential. The end of the season was characterized by excessive humidity and abundant rain, favoring the development of rot. These conditions led to a harvest loss of about 60% across the entire estate. Despite these challenges, the healthy grapes harvested presented high natural acidity and remarkable freshness, characteristics of a classic and vibrant style typical of great fresh Loire vintages.

Winemaking and aging

Faced with the low volumes available and the specific characteristics of the 2021 vintage, Louis-Benjamin Dagueneau took the bold decision to blend all healthy grapes from the estate's different plots into a single unique cuvée, named XXI. After delicate pressing, the musts are settled cold between 3 and 5°C for 12 to 36 hours. Fermentation takes place in oak barrels of different sizes, notably 320-liter "cigars" and 600-liter casks, specially designed for the estate with light toasting. Fermentations are conducted at controlled temperatures with selected yeasts. Cuvée XXI 2021 is then aged on lees for approximately 12 months in barrels, without racking, before being transferred to stainless steel tanks for an additional maturation of five to seven months. The wine is bottled without filtration or fining, after a total aging of approximately 18 to 19 months.

Grape variety

100% Sauvignon Blanc