by Ray Johnson | Jul 10, 2009 | France, Loire Valley, Melon, Muscadet
Domaine des Hautes Noelles, Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur lie 2006 This wine has developed paraffin and lanolin characteristics in the nose. The acidity that one expects of Muscadet in the mouth is there with a rounded, silky texture – nice complexity at this...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 14, 2009 | France, Loire Valley, Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc
Domaine André Vatan, Sancerre, Les Charmes 2007 The style point has always been lean and green, offering a sense of the appellation without the over $20 price of the more concentrated offerings. This vintage sports minerality, pipi de chat and grass in the nose. The...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 3, 2008 | Chenin Blanc, France, Late Harvest White, Loire Valley, Vouvray, White Dessert
Domaine Huet, Vouvray, Clos du Bourg, Moelleux, Premiere Trie 2002 The nose sports minerality and citrus and the mouth is vivaciously alive, singing with acidity and joined in a chorus with flavors of tangerine and pineapple. This is certainly not as sweet as many...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 6, 2008 | France, Loire Valley, Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc
Jean Reverdy, Sancerre, La Reine Blanche 2007 Once again the smell of grass and grapefruit are in full force while the mouth follows suit with plenty of acidity and a little minerality. My notes from the previous three vintages show this consistent thread of...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 5, 2008 | Cabernet Franc, Loire Valley, Saumur-Champigny
Clos Rougeard, Saumur Champigny 2004 There’s complexity here in the nose, a combination of sweet oak, smokiness, chocolate and a little bit of volatility. The sweet flavors follow suit in the mouth with a heavy dose of brett and a tart framework. This wine goes...
by Ray Johnson | Nov 5, 2008 | Cabernet Franc, Chinon, France, Loire Valley
Catherine & Pierre Breton, Chinon, Beaumont 2005 The smells of sweet berry fruit with crush leaves and green herbs. In the mouth the wine is chewy and lightly but appropriately green with tart fruit flavors. The vines for the Beaumont are 50 years old and the wine...
