Vincent Ricard farms 42 acres of vineyards in the Touraine, located outside the village of Thésée la Romaine, near the banks of the river Cher, in the heart of central Loire Valley. He incorporated Domaine Ricard in 1999,  after returning to his family’s property in 1998 following a two-year internship with Philippe Alliet in Chinon and François Chidaine in Montlouis.

Vincent believes strongly in the merits of natural farming. Exposed to biodynamic principles through his work with Chidaine and well versed in organic techniques, he picks and chooses the farming practices which make the most sense for his vines and his wines. Herbicides are never used. He allows grass to grow between every row, though he may eventually cut back to every other row to reduce the nitrogen richness the grasses impart to the soil.

Most consider “Les Trois Chênes” to be Ricard’s flagship wine. He makes other Sauvignons (his specialty), at lower and higher price points, but this one really captures the balance between his terroir, natural farming and talented winemaking. The wine is produced from 80 year old Sauvignon vines. The fruit is hand-harvested and then sees a slow, three-month barrel fermentation, part of the wine’s total eight-month aging regime. After fermentation, the lees (or dead yeast sediment which falls to the bottom of the vessel) are occasionally stirred to keep the wine oxygenated and fresh.

Aromatics of lemon zest, white peach, candied grapefruit and wet stones. On the palate, lemon meringue, key lime, green apple with some lychee and kumquat. Rich and muscular with bright acidity and flinty minerality. I thought this was outstanding and a great value at $20 a bottle. 13% alcohol. Strongly recommended.