1999 Confidence, Domaine Sauvète

Drunk with pleasure: 10th January. This wine is made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes harvested later than normal, although it is not a full vendange tardive (late harvest). It has some similarities to the Vendange du 19 Octobre 2002 Sancerre from Lucien Crochet (report posted here). The 1999 Confidence from Domaine Sauvète is a million miles away from the cats' pee on a gooseberry bush style that many people associated with Sauvignon Blanc and perhaps, in particular, Touraine Sauvignon. The flavours are way riper – yellow plum, mango, touches of honey – with a mouth-filling opulence. Although heading towards 11 years old, this shows no signs of tiring, although the colour is a rich gold. This is a wine to be sipped and enjoyed. Given its opulence it would be difficult to drink much more than a couple of glasses. If I had any more bottles I would be happy to keep these another five years or so. There are another couple of cuvées of Sauvignon picked during the main part of the harvest, which are more classic Touraine Sauvignon.

Jérôme and Dominique Sauvète

Sadly despite the fine weather in August, September and October in Touraine, it is highly unlikely that there will be any Confidence made in 2009 as the Sauvètes were badly hit by hail in mid-July with grapes in some parcels almost completely destroyed.

2009: Hail damage in Monthou - taken 8th August