Michel & Stéphane Ogier (d'Ampuis)

La Combe de Malleval Condrieu Viognier 2019

9.2

Perfect wine to open the palate and the appetite. Compliments of @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego. Cheers to drinking with friends I’ve made on @Bev Delectable. — 18 days ago

Tom, Daniel and 6 others liked this

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

@Ericsson Oh what I’d give to rifle through 4-6 decent wines with 4-6 decent palates in the space of 3-4 hours…been too long. Happy you made it in. Hope you enjoyed. Had to bounce unfortunately before potentially compromising your palate with some skanky/tawdry reds. Next time. Best wishes always.

Ericsson

Worth a trip.

Ericsson

And some.

Antoine Sanzay

Les Poyeux Saumur-Champigny Cabernet Franc 2015

Willem Booij

9.4

Wow! This is a stunning expression of Saumur-Champigny Cabernet Franc, elegant, precise, and deeply evocative of its terroir.

From the first pour during decanting, it reveals a beautifully perfumed nose of ripe red berries, violets, graphite, and a subtle earthy undertone that really overwhelms me.

On the palate, the wine is both refined and vibrant. Silky tannins frame layers of red cherry, blackcurrant, and crushed herbs, all wrapped in a fine mineral tension that gives the wine energy and length. There’s a quiet power to this vintage it’s structured, but never heavy, so i called it a Delicate Thursday Wine.

Showing a graceful evolution over a decade in the glass.

2015 was a warm vintage, and Sanzay has balanced ripeness with freshness masterfully. This is a wine that speaks of place, crafted with sensitivity and finesse.

My advice: decant it now for a beautiful experience, or cellar it with confidence it has many years of life ahead.

Overall for me this is a compelling, soulful Cabernet Franc that combines purity with poise. A wine that’s can hold it’s ground served blind with the great wine from this region, and must-try for Loire lovers. — 3 months ago