2022 Domaine Sylvain Langoureau: A Stunning Set of Wines
In 1989 Sylvain Langoureau took over the reins of his family winery, becoming the fifth generation to tend the nine-hectare domaine located in the small hamlet of Gamay on the hillside where Puligny-Montrachet and St. Aubin meet. Sylvain and his wife Nathalie work closely together to tend the estate and their impressive holdings primarily in St. Aubin. Additionally, they have smaller yet no less impressive holdings in Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet, and Meursault. The grapes are farmed 100% organically with minimal use of new oak (only 20–30%). The Langoureaus then cold soak the grapes, and do not stir the lees during elevage—their meticulous winemaking allows them to fashion a dazzling array of wines that scream terroir with ample acidity and freshness. 2022 was again a hot vintage, but, unlike previous hot vintages 2020, 2019 and 2018, there is surprising amount of acidity. These are easily some of the greatest values we carry in white Burgundy at K&L.
The Langoureau wines go from strength-to-strength. I love the quality of the entry-level offerings. The 2022 Domaine Sylvain Langoureau Bourgogne Aligoté $17.99 is a wonderful example of the is varietal with white flowers, pithy notes, and piercing acidity—a quintessential example of Aligote.
Easily one of the best values in red Burgundy is the 2022 Domaine Sylvain Langoureau Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune "Clos Marc" $19.99. It just oozes fresh cherry fruit, spice, hints of cocoa, and lively acidity that all come together to make a seamless entry-level red wine.
At $34.99, the 2022 Domaine Sylvain Langoureau St-Aubin village-level offering is an INSANE VALUE!! Just a beautiful example of a great white Burgundy that drinks like a wine three times the price. Gorgeous orchard fruit notes along with mandarin and white flower aromas give way to a palate flush in tangerine and white peach flavors. Subtle oak notes play against racy acidity and firm tannins that lead to a long, energetic finish. This is a fabulous introduction to St. Aubin.
Where the Domaine Sylvain Langoureau portfolio really takes off is their 1er Cru St. Aubin offerings. The 2022 Domaine Sylvain Langoureau St-Aubin 1er Cru "Sur Gamay" $44.99 is such a beautiful wine! Aromas of white flowers, wet stone and subtle notes of mandarin whaft from the glass. Lemon oil, mandarin and notes of mineral and flint hit the palate just right.
The $44.99 2022 Domaine Sylvain Langoureau St-Aubin 1er Cru "Les Sentiers du Clou" is an impressively structured St. Aubin with white flowers, green herbs, and hints of graham crackers on the nose that give way to a palate loaded with mandarin, tangerine and kumquat flavors, all tied together by an elegant and restrained finish.
The 2022 Domaine Sylvain Langoureau St-Aubin 1er Cru "Bas Vermarain" $49.99 is a bright and lively wine that starts out with aromas of orange flowers and cracked wheat; on the palate you’ll find loads of fresh citrus fruits along with crushed rock notes melding seamlessly with brisk acidity to form a long, energetic finish.
The 2022 Domaine Sylvain Langoureau St-Aubin 1er Cru "Les Frionnes" $49.99 is a lively and bright St. Aubin that is bursting with aromas of orange flowers, lemon chiffon, and flint notes with a palate that is high-toned and elegant showcasing lemon notes and crushed stone. The intensity builds as the wine gets to the fresh, powerful and complex finish.
Last but not least is the 2022 Domaine Sylvain Langoureau St-Aubin 1er Cru "En Remilly" $49.99 which is regarded as one of the top vineyard sites in all of St. Aubin. Located on the other side of the hill from the famed Montrachet Grand Cru vineyard it is believed to share some of the same soil composition but not the southeast facing exposure. Always powerful, the En Remilly is bursting with notes of iodine, mandarin, orchard fruits, and aromas of white flowers. Complex and tightly-wound this feels the most regal of all the 1er Cru offerings and has a good dash of oak to help frame the large-scale feel this wine has. Fruit, minerals, tannins, and complexity all abound in this intense St. Aubin.
This is indeed a wonderful lineup of incredibly affordable 1er Cru white Burgundies from the up-and-coming appellation of St. Aubin.