Les Poëte : Argos 2020

Characteristics and tasting tips for Argos 2020 from Domaine Les Poëte

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a luminous straw-yellow hue, enhanced by greenish highlights, reflecting its beautiful ripeness.

Nose

The nose reveals remarkable aromatic complexity with notes of white currants, gooseberries and lemon sorbet. Nuances of nettle leaves and white flowers intertwine with aromas of passion fruit, honey and subtle mineral touches evoking flint. With aeration, the bouquet develops further accents of citrus and candied lemon.

Palate

On the palate, this wine captivates with its juicy, silky texture, unusual for Sauvignon Blanc. The remarkable freshness is perfectly balanced by surprising depth and vibrancy. The generous body is structured by a pleasant acidity, while saline and herbaceous notes add complexity. The chalky texture, a hallmark of Quincy's soils, lends a mineral dimension to the palate. The mid-palate reveals beautiful intensity with flavors of citrus (grapefruit, mandarin, candied lemon), exotic fruits and white flowers. The finish, of superb length, lingers on mineral and chalky notes that refresh the palate.

Food and wine pairing

This elegant white wine pairs ideally with raw fish, a seafood platter or delicate poultry.

Serving

Argos 2020 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 50 and 55°F, with an optimal serving temperature of 54°F.

A Sauvignon Blanc of remarkable elegance and depth

The estate

Founded in the 2000s by Guillaume Sorbe, Domaine Les Poëte quickly established itself as one of the most ambitious producers in the Centre Loire. The estate takes its name from the winemaker's grandmother, Esther Poëte. Guillaume Sorbe, from a winemaking family, chose to create his own venture after acquiring solid training in sommellerie and oenology in Beaune. Today, the estate spans 17 hectares, including 6.45 hectares of vines spread across 28 distinct parcels in the Reuilly, Quincy, Touraine and Pouilly-Fumé appellations. The estate's philosophy is built on the principle of "Less but better," prioritizing quality over quantity. Les Poëte practices organic and biodynamic viticulture, though uncertified, integrating animal husbandry (sheep, horses, bees, chickens) and biodiversity preservation. The estate has received exceptional critical recognition, notably from Michel Bettane, who considers Guillaume Sorbe a future world master of Sauvignon Blanc.

The vineyard

Argos is crafted from parcels located in the Quincy appellation, one of the smallest and oldest appellations in the Loire Valley. The vines grow on alluvial soils composed of sand and gravel deposited by the Cher river, combined with limestone and chalky substrates at depth. These gravelly and chalky soils, particularly well-suited to Sauvignon Blanc, impart the wine's distinctive minerality and aromatic precision. The region's continental climate, tempered by the proximity of the Cher, offers approximately 2,000 hours of annual sunshine, allowing full ripening while preserving freshness and aromatic complexity. The estate chose to produce this cuvée as a Vin de France in order to enjoy complete freedom in its viticultural and winemaking practices, favoring terroir expression over regulatory constraints.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes are pressed under an inert nitrogen atmosphere to preserve the delicate aromas. Only cold settling is carried out, avoiding any thermal manipulation. Fermentation is conducted parcel by parcel, either spontaneously with indigenous yeasts or by inoculation, in stainless steel tanks or 400- and 600-liter barrels. Argos 2020 benefits from an exceptional three-year aging, primarily in used 400- and 600-liter oak barrels, complemented by a period in tank. This extended maturation, unusual for Sauvignon Blanc, allows the development of tertiary complexity while preserving the wine's freshness. The blending of the various parcels takes place at the end of the aging process. Fining and filtration are only performed if necessary. The bottles are sealed with food-grade wax, ensuring optimal preservation.

Grape variety

100% Sauvignon Blanc