Pascal Laffourcade, Vignobles Laffourcade (1988)

Pascal Laffourcade is the son of a négociant who bought vines in the Quarts de Chaume in 1959 followed by Château de L’Echarderie in Rochefort-sur-Loire in 1962. Since then, Laffourcade junior has built up the business to a total of 30 hectares and has added Château Perray, just outside Thouarcé. He entered Savennières in 1988 by way of renting Le Clos de Royauté, an existing vineyard, from Baron Brincard.

Wine Overview:  
Although there is only one source of grapes, Laffourcade produces two separate cuvées of Savennières; one in fibre glass tanks, which is bottled the following spring, and the second, which is commercialised under the name of the parcel, and is partly fermented and aged for around six months in barrique.

The Wines:  
Although one of the early pioneers into the region, Laffourcade has yet to stamp his Savennières with any complexity or sense of direction.

2006 Savennières  
Bright. Very pale appearance. Some evidence of SO2. Muted, dry and austere mineral nose and palate. A touch floral and rustic on the palate. The acidity stands apart. Chalky texture with a dry, mineral finish and typical pithy Chenin twist. Approachable now, but will age a couple more years. Simple and undistinguished. (02/08)

2006 ‘Clos La Royauté’  
Bright. Pale appearance. Riper nose, with the impression of richness and some sweetness. Noticeable acidity on the palate, but not particularly integrated at this stage. Gentle oak. Good length, but quite simple. Drinking now and could evolve a little further. This is competent, but not particularly exciting. (02/08)

2005 Savennières  
Mid depth. Pale-straw appearance. Rich, honeyed nose. Modern style, but with a good underlying minerality. Rich on entry. A touch oxidative. Oily textured with obvious residual sugar and the alcohol shows. A bit short and clumsy on the finish. Drinking now and over the next couple of years, but this not particularly distinguished.      (02/08)

1997 ‘Clos La Royauté’  
Mid full appearance. It retains some youthful green hints. Quiet nose, but still quite lively and fresh behind. Very little evolution on the palate and still has some way to go. Fine thread of acidity through the wine with good minerality and length. Persistent. This is still very youthful and can be aged further with confidence. (02/08)

Pascal Laffourcade  
Vignobles Laffourcade  
Le Perray, Chavages-les-Eaux  
T: +33 2 41 54 16 54  
laffourcade@wanadoo.fr

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