Loire

Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, Loire, France

[ 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. ] 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.

Other Red Blends from Touraine, Loire, France

[ One of the most delicious and compelling Thierry Puzelat reds. Fruit and fragrance just leap out of glass. A blend of about 70% Côt (Malbec) and 30% Gamay. Fermented separately and blended. Then aged in neutral barrels. Deep color evident from the Côt. Medium-full body. Floral with spices. Mesmerizing nose. Seriousness of Côt is balanced by light-hearted exuberance of Gamay. Fresh, vibrant with good structure. This wine has a long life ahead. Dark-fruited, spicy, structured but approachable. ] One of the most delicious and compelling Thierry Puzelat reds. Fruit and fragrance just leap out of glass. A blend of about 70% Côt (Malbec) and 30% Gamay. Fermented separately and blended. Then aged in neutral barrels. Deep color evident from the…

Other White Wines from Touraine, Loire, France

[ 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 and very zippy version of Romorantin. Consume now or over the next 2 to 4 years. ] 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…

Other White Blends from Loire, France

[ Blend of Melon de Bourgogne, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Folle Blanche. This wine presents a pale yellow color, and reveals an intense nose of dried fruits, date, almond, surrounded with a touch of lime. The mouth is supple and strong, mixing mineral and aromatic touches, with the fineness of white fruits on the top. Not yet reviewed; 2015 vintage rated 88 points by Wine Enthusiast. ] Blend of Melon de Bourgogne, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Folle Blanche. This wine presents a pale yellow color, and reveals an intense nose of dried fruits, date, almond, surrounded with a touch of lime. The mouth is supple and strong, mixing…

Melon de Bourgogne from Muscadet, Loire, France

[ 92-93 points David Schildknecht (Vinous): ...this leads with fascinating peat-like smokiness as well as a quarry-like aura of crushed stone, elements that Landron takes to be typical expressions of the site in question. There are also aromatic hints of the apple, gooseberry, salts and iodine that then dominate on a brightly juicy, tangy, firm-feeling, palpably extract-rich palate. The sizzle and crunch of fresh radish contribute to an explosively intense, reverberative finish. Drink: 2017-2026. (May 2017) ] 92-93 points David Schildknecht (Vinous): ...this leads with fascinating peat-like smokiness as well as a quarry-like aura of crushed stone, elements that Landron takes to be typical expressions of the site in question. There are also aromatic hints…

Dessert Wine from Vouvray, Loire, France

[ 98 points Stephan Reinhardt (Wine Advocate): From a 'quintessential Chenin Blanc year' (Michael Broadbent), the luminously orange-golden 1989 Vouvray Le Haut-Lieu Moelleux Première Trie displays a beautifully clear and intense yet not loud, nobly elegant and perfectly balanced raisin fruit with precise aromas of dried apricots and ripe peaches intertwined with subtly spicy, mineral and chalky notes on the nose. Sweet and superbly harmonious on the highly elegant, silky textured and well concentrated palate, this full-bodied, gorgeously fruit-concentrated and animated Chenin from the first picking of dried berries has a perfect, sensual flow and reveals an incredible generosity, finesse and delicacy. This is a gorgeously balanced sweet wine with an intriguing concentration of fruit and finesse. Great to drink on its own for a lifetime or with foie gras or lobster. According to Noël Pinguet, there was no botrytis in 1989, 'the berries were dried on the vines in a vintage that is the best I have ever made and stands alongside with 1947.' Drink: 2015-2090. (Nov 2015) ] 98 points Stephan Reinhardt (Wine Advocate): From a 'quintessential Chenin Blanc year' (Michael Broadbent), the luminously orange-golden 1989 Vouvray Le Haut-Lieu Moelleux Première Trie displays a beautifully clear and intense yet not loud, nobly…

Chenin Blanc from Loire, France

[ 90 points and 'Year's Best Loire Valley,' Wine & Spirits: This is chenin grown in the cool north of the Loire, where Pascal Janvier farms 40-year-old vines on a parcel of clay-limestone soils with silex in the mix. It ripened well in 2015, presenting pear-nectar flavors and scents of yellow roses. Tense and floral, this is lovely juice with enough sweetness to create a compelling balance, prepping its pleasantly bitter savor for caramelized roast pork. Best Buy. (Apr 2017) ] 90 points and 'Year's Best Loire Valley,' Wine & Spirits: This is chenin grown in the cool north of the Loire, where Pascal Janvier farms 40-year-old vines on a parcel of clay-limestone soils with silex in the mix. It ripened well in 2015, presenting…

Chenin Blanc from Montlouis, Loire, France

[ Medium-bodied, dry. White flowers on the nose and a variety of citrus on the palate. Finishes crisp and fresh. Pair with fish soups, fried fish, and scallops. ] Medium-bodied, dry. White flowers on the nose and a variety of citrus on the palate. Finishes crisp and fresh. Pair with fish soups, fried fish, and scallops.

Chenin Blanc from Vouvray, Loire, France

[ 95 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): ...The bouquet is bottomless, delivering scents of pineapple, sweet quince, incipient notes of honey, chalky minerality, a touch of lanolin, floral tones redolent of buttercups and lovely, esthery citrus elements in the upper register... pure, full-bodied, beautifully balanced and displays stunning depth at the core, with lovely acidity (particularly for the vintage!), great focus and grip and a very, very long, primary and exceptional finish... 2016-2075. (Sep/Oct 2016) ] 95 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): ...The bouquet is bottomless, delivering scents of pineapple, sweet quince, incipient notes of honey, chalky minerality, a touch of lanolin, floral tones redolent of buttercups and lovely, esthery citrus…

Sauvignon Blanc from Pouilly-Fumé, Loire, France

[ 95 points Wine Spectator: Beautiful from the start, with crème fraîche and tarragon accents gliding in first, followed by macadamia nut, lime curd, gooseberry gelée and yellow apple fruit flavors. The finish pulls in a fleur de sel hint while creamy accents keep the upper hand. Drink now through 2028. (8/8/18) ] 95 points Wine Spectator: Beautiful from the start, with crème fraîche and tarragon accents gliding in first, followed by macadamia nut, lime curd, gooseberry gelée and yellow apple fruit flavors. The finish pulls in a fleur de sel hint while creamy…

Cabernet Franc from Saumur/Saumur-Champigny, Loire, France

[ 92 points Jeb Dunnuck: ...95% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon... is a gorgeous red that spent close to 60 days on skins and 27-29 months in concrete tanks before bottling. It offers perfumed notes of black cherries, currants, dried flowers, rose petal and huge iron/mineral like nuances. Fresh and lively, with a Pinot Noir-like elegance on the palate, this vibrant, singular, lengthy beauty will keep for upwards of a decade. Drink: 2018-2028. (11/20/17) ] 92 points Jeb Dunnuck: ...95% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon... is a gorgeous red that spent close to 60 days on skins and 27-29 months in concrete tanks before bottling. It offers perfumed notes of black cherries, currants, dried flowers,…

Dessert Wine from Vouvray, Loire, France

[ 97+ points Stephan Reinhardt (Wine Advocate): The 2003 Vouvray Le Mont Moelleux Première Trie shows a brillant dark golden color with apricot-yellow reflections. Very clear, intense and elegant on the nose, where coffee, toast, brioche, nougat and flinty flavors intertwine with super ripe apricot, licorice and lemon zest aromas, this is a very sweet, extraordinary rich, highly concentrated but also elegant and piquant moelleux with a stunning purity and freshness in the mouthwatering, salty finish. This is a very sweet but remarkably elegant and finesse-full Le Mont whose purity and mineral finish will be mind-blowing in some decades. The 2003 is still too young to be drunk this or during the next decade (if you are lucky to own older Huets, otherwise you won't be hurt by drinking a first better today). Compared to Le Haut-Lieu, Le Mont is more focused and defined, less sensual than intellectual maybe. In its elegance, finesse and balance, this 2003 reminds me of the 1945 Le Haut Lieu. But to reach the almost perfect score of the latter, the 2003 has still a long way to age. Drink: 2030-2070. (Nov 2015) ] 97+ points Stephan Reinhardt (Wine Advocate): The 2003 Vouvray Le Mont Moelleux Première Trie shows a brillant dark golden color with apricot-yellow reflections. Very clear, intense and elegant on the nose, where coffee, toast, brioche, nougat and…