Anjou, Anjou Saumur

Nicolas Joly

Les Vieux Clos Savennières Chenin Blanc 2019

Presented to me blind at Tasting Group. The wine appears bright yellow with medium viscosity; no signs of sediment, gas or particles. On the nose, the wine is developing with ripe orchard fruit: stone fruits, lemons, white flowers, lanolin and minerals. On the palate the wine is off-dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and full of character. The alcohol is medium+. Initial conclusions: this could be Chenin Blanc, Riesling or Chardonnay from France, Germany or the United States. But I didn’t get any petrol so I eliminated Riesling and I don’t think you could get the balance of fruit and high acid from California Chardonnay (and the oak would probably be so pronounced). So I called Chenin Blanc from France, from the Loire, Vouvray Demi-Sec. Well…I should have known this could be Joly! Close…but some miles away from each other and I’d like to have the confidence to call producer in this case. Drink now through 2034. — 6 days ago

Jan, Ira and 11 others liked this
Jay Kline

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@Daniel M one of my favorite white wine producers on earth
Ely Cohn

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Well done!

Moulin Touchais

Coteaux du Layon Chenin Blanc 2005

Plus moelleux que liquoreux. Des arômes et saveurs de fruits exotiques, ananas, touche de métal. Moyennement sucré, agréable. — 16 days ago

Domaine des Baumard

Quarts de Chaume Chenin Blanc 1997

Consistent notes. Gets better every time. — 2 months ago

Peter, Andrew and 8 others liked this
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

Lovely description: Chenin Blanc often gets better each time you taste. 🙂

Nicolas Joly

Clos de la Coulée de Serrant Savennières Chenin Blanc 2016

Light to mid golden in colour. Aromatics of yellow orchard fruits and melon with a touch of honey/beeswax. An oxidative style - almost unctuous in texture. Great flavours. I don’t drink many Loire Valley wines - this was very good. — 17 days ago

Jamie, Douglas and 22 others liked this
Severn Goodwin

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The master of Chenin 🙏❤️

Domaine Guiberteau

Brézé Saumur Chenin Blanc

Caramel, vanilla, but super light and refreshing — 7 days ago

Domaine des Roches Neuves (Thierry Germain)

Clos Romans Saumur Chenin Blanc 2016

Weighty yet plenty of lemony acid. — a month ago

Tom, Daniel and 5 others liked this

Clos Rougeard

"Brézé" Saumur Chenin Blanc 2018

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2018 “Brézé” pours a light straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing…maybe even youthful with notes of mostly tart orchard fruit: apple, pear, white flowers, lemon curd and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long with saline minerals that dazzle. Technically brilliant, I get the sense this needs time before it has more to share. Better after 2028 and drink through 2040+?
— 2 months ago

Ely, Shay and 15 others liked this

Domaine aux Moines

Savennières-Roche aux Moines Chenin Blanc 2003

What a night with pascaline Lepeltier, who after 50 years in wine teaches me a whole new spectrum. Absolutely wonderful. — 15 days ago

Joe, Andrew and 2 others liked this
Brecht Spileers

Brecht Spileers

Which was your favorite?!
Gilbert Van Hassel

Gilbert Van Hassel Influencer Badge

Ganevat en billat, roche aux moines, les ursules : all three spectacular but if I need to pick one: Ganevat. They were all six outstanding quite frankly. Nice concept I picked 3 and let pascaline pick a “contrepoint” wine.

Domaine des Roches Neuves (Thierry Germain)

Saumur-Champigny Cabernet Franc

Getting ahead with some research off to Saumur/Loire Vallée, this little Saumur Champigny punches above it's weight, up there with mid level burgundy, climate change has done well for Cab Francs, Pinot Noir from Loire Vallée. Well structured, light but with a bit of depth, berries galore, bio organic too! — a month ago