Among 1010 Sauvignons from 26 producing countries, the Cuvée Exponentielle 2017 wins the prestigious "Denis Dubourdieu Trophy 2019" and the Cuvée Angle Droit 2018 wins a Gold Medal.
The World Sauvignon Competition is an instant and annually updated snapshot of the world production of Sauvignon Blanc wines. In 2019, 70 professional tasters representing 20 nationalities will come together for the competition pitting an international selection of 26 wine-growing nations that make up the "white sauvignon planet" one against the another. At the end of the contest, the jurors award gold and silver medals to the best productions listed. On the sidelines of these medals, the special "Denis Dubourdieu" trophy is awarded each year to the wine displaying the purest and most refined expression of Sauvignon. This year, the Cuvée Exponentielle 2017 was awarded this prestigious distinction. The Cuvée Angle Droit 2018 won a gold medal.
The 2017 vintage started very badly with successive frosts at the end of April, for a week. Result : 70% crop loss for Domaine Delobel. After this difficult beginning, nature took back its rights, the growth of the vine too. The 2017 harvest took place during a beautiful Indian summer end of September - early October.
The Cuvée Exponentielle comes from two almost fifty-year-old plots, cultivated in organically, like the whole estate, located in the commune of Oisly : the Musset and the Ponteau. The harvest is done manually by a team of thirty people and in the early morning to keep the freshness of the aromas of this grape variety : Sauvignon.
At the end of the press, this exceptional grape juice is then directly funnelled into 350 to 400 liter barrels, to ferment quietly for several months and be raised on the lees until the next harvest. Despite the passage in these wooden containers, why does the Cuvée Exponentielle keep such a "pure expression of Sauvignon" ? Because the barrel staves used are bent with steam rather than flame to obtain their oval shape. Steam bending respects the aromas of Sauvignon while bringing an elegant structure to the Cuvée Exponentielle. On the other hand, the oak barrels are stored on "Oxoline" castor racks to allow smooth and air-proof batonnage, every month, which has the advantage of protecting it from oxygen.
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The Cuvée Exponentielle 2017 represents 1,800 bottles.
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« Who are we » ?Benjamin and Sandrine Delobel are passionate about Sauvignon. They discovered this variety during their adventures in France, Australia and New Zealand. |
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Benjamin set up his business in 2014. The thirty-year-old, originally from Pas-de-Calais, could very well have taken over a turnkey operation, but instead he decided to create his own winery alone, with a chai and a range of organic wines that resemble him. When he needed to choose the ideal place, the Loire Valley seemed the obvious choice bringing him a little closer to his native region. But if Benjamin Delobel chose Ouchamps (Loir-et-Cher, 41), nestled between the castles of Chambord and Chenonceau, it is for several reasons. Firstly : for the love of the grape variety - Sauvignon Blanc, which the young winemaker even went to tame outside our homeland in California, Australia and New Zealand. Secondly : for the love of a terroir : that of Oisly giving "very expressive sauvignons" that he appreciates enormously - it is also the town where the first Sauvignon vine was planted! On its 12.5 hectares of vines, 85% of which are Sauvignon Blanc, this "Ch'ti vigneron" has produced wines since 2014 under two names : AOC Touraine and Touraine-Oisly. The rest of its vineyards are composed of 2 ha of Gamay and Pineau d'Aunis, red fruit varieties. Last but not least: an 18th century farmhouse, steeped in history, since it was used in the past for the production of wines. It is no accident…
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Benjamin is assisted by his wife Sandrine, an oenologist who brings her particular skillset to the production : - She is an expert on Sauvignon and applies her knowledge in grape harvests, notably in the choice of the date of harvest, in order to optimize the expression of this Sauvignon grape which she studied at the Faculty of Oenology of Bordeaux, notably with Professor Denis Dubourdieu. – She brings a feminine touch to the blending process. |
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The result : three Sauvignon vintages produced, including two winners at the 2019 Sauvignon World Cup :
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