Category Archives: Loire Valley

Louvetrie Muscadet Sevre et Maine Hermine d’Or 2007

Posted on November 5, 2008 by RJ

Domaine de la Louvetrie, Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Sur Lie, Hermine d’Or 2007 Tart and a bit like biting into the skin of a lime with the full fruit intensity of the lime as well. Yes, there’s the acidity you … Continue reading →

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Domaine La Butte Bourgueil “Le Pied de la Butte” 2007

Posted on November 4, 2008 by RJ

Domaine de la Butte, Bourgueil, “Le Pied de la Butte” 2007 The leafiness that you’d expect with fresh fruit of a Beaujolais. This is light-bodied and zippy with acidity and fruit in the mouth – a quaffer from the appellation. … Continue reading →

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Francois Chidaine Montlouis Clos Habert 2006

Posted on November 4, 2008 by RJ

Francois Chidaine, Montlouis sur Loire, Clos Habert 2006 In the nose there is a complex mix of minerality and honey while the fruit flavors flow in the mouth from citrus to tropical with comparable acidity – very nice. The estate’s … Continue reading →

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Running after Chinon

Posted on September 3, 2008 by RJ

Domaine de la Chanteleuserie, Bourgueil Cuvée Alouettes 2006 The previous vintage of the Cuvee Beauvais showed the characteristic green of Cab Franc from the area with enough fruit to back it up. This wine is a bit reductive and tarry … Continue reading →

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Dry wines on the big river

Posted on September 3, 2008 by RJ

Francis Blanchet, Pouilly-Fume, Cuvee Silice 2006 Corked, so who will ever know what to think about this wine.This is all stainless Sauvignon produced across the river from Sancerre. Silice is sourced from an old vine parcel, laden with silex, just … Continue reading →

Posted in France, Loire Valley, Pinot Noir, Pouilly-Fume, Rosé, Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc | Leave a comment

Back in time

Posted on September 3, 2008 by RJ

Regis Cruchet, Vouvray, Demi-Sec 1996 Then nose is quite evolved where there is a sense of varnish and nuttiness and a little lingering fruit. In the mouth though, there’s tropical fruit and lime with just enough residual sugar to pair … Continue reading →

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Perennial favorite

Posted on September 3, 2008 by RJ

Domaine Le Peu de la Moriette (Domaine Pichot), Vouvray 2007 This wine embodies the sweet and tart character that Chenin can show so well when there’s a bit of residual sugar. Unfortunately our latest bottle in May of ’09 is … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chenin Blanc, France, Loire Valley, Vouvray | Leave a comment

Hungary Reigns

Posted on November 12, 2007 by RJ

The previous tasting in the California and Europe class in San Francisco pitted Baumard against Oremus. Tonight’s flight brings in a different top-flight producer, this time from Sauternes. Both the Raymond-Lafon and the Oremus will be tasted side-by-side. In both … Continue reading →

Posted in Chenin Blanc, France, Furmint, Hungary, Late Harvest White, Loire Valley, Quarts de Chaume, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Tokaji | Leave a comment

Cab Franc – Loire Style

Posted on November 1, 2007 by RJ

Domaine de Beausejour Chinon 2005 My notes from the 2004 say green and thin but OK if nothing else is available. The 2005 shows more fruit to smell but still has much that is green about it. In Sept. ’08 … Continue reading →

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Bracing Wine

Posted on November 1, 2007 by RJ

Domaine Les Hautes Noëlles Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu sur lie 2006 The last vintage tasted, 2004 was very clean and bursting with acidity. Again tonight with the 2006, this wine struts its acidity with a freshness of fruit to smell … Continue reading →

Posted in Chenin Blanc, France, Loire Valley, Melon, Muscadet, Savennieres | Leave a comment