Loire

The historic property of Château du Hureau is among the top producers of Saumur-Champigny. The château has been in the family for generations, and today, is run by fifth generation vigneron Philippe Vatan and his daughter Agathe. The Cabernet Francs of Château du Hureau are dark, intense and sappy,… ...

Located in Montlouis, in the heart of the Loire Valley, Jacky Blot of Domaine de la Taille aux Loups is one of the star winemakers of the region. Originally a Loire wine broker by profession, Blot acquired in 1989 about 8 hectares of 50 to 75 year old vines. Now more than 25 years on, Blot is the… ...

This is Dagueneau's Grand Cru, if you will. Because of the lower clay content in the soil, this wine tends to be more austere in its youth than the Pur Sang , which explains why it often receives lower scores wine journals that rate how a wine is currently drinking. Do not be fooled! Those familiar… ...

WHWC Staff Notes: Finally, Pascal served us his classic Quarts de Chaume along with a peach tart. This single estate wine shows plenty of botrytis along with gentle honey tones, apricot, quince, and a nice dose of orange zest. On the palate, the wine displays an unctuousness reserved for wines of… ...

93 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): ...excellent and one of the top Muscadet bottlings I have tasted from this vintage, delivering a bright and complex bouquet of bread fruit, refined minerality, a touch of citrus peel, lovely leesy complexity, a touch of smokiness and a gentle saline… ...

91+ points Stephen Reinhardt (Wine Advocate): The 2013 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Monnières-Saint Fiacre is very clear, deep and subtle on the slightly smoky nose where citrus flavors and yellow apple aromas are displayed. Full-bodied, elegant and balanced, with a ripe and structuring mineral acidity,… ...

Not yet reviewed; 2014 vintage rated 94 points and 'Cellar Selection' by Wine Enthusiast: The small production of this wine just fitted into four barrels, two of which were new. It's a ripe wine, complex, concentrated and showing the quality of this famous vineyard. High-density planting and 40-year… ...

96 points Wine Spectator: Juicy in feel, with an intense beam of glazed peach, dried apricot, fresh ginger and heather honey notes, backed by baked mirabelle plum accents and a flash of almond cream on the long, rich finish. A wonderful balancing act, keeping the exotic fruit and sweetness fresh and… ...

The Bailly family have been winemakers in Sancerre since 1700. This is a classic styled Sancerre from Bailly's vineyards in and around the village of Bué, one of the greatest villages in the appellation. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Not yet reviewed; 2015 vintage rated 89-91+ points by John Gilman (View… ...

A newer bottling for the Domaine, this parcel is located in the eastern part of Sancerre on limestone soils with a high proportion of flint. 100% destemmed, pneumatic pressing, cold settling and aging on lees for six months. Tasting Notes: An energetic palate of orange, lime and green apple, with… ...

A stunning example of classic Sauvignon Blanc. Pure, crisp grassy fruit on the nose with hints of blackcurrant leaf. Lean, racy and concentrated on the palate with complex flavors of citrus and mineral. Not yet reviewed; 2015 vintage rated 91 points by Decanter: A greener, citric style on the nose;… ...

100% Romorantin. Generally from the younger vines (up to 20 years old) and generally vinified in steel -- although this cuvee will occasionally get some older vine material and some wood or concrete contact. Regardless of the slight variations in method each year, this is always a fresh, high-toned… ...