Austin Hohnke

9.1

Polished, heady, and flavorful. Smooth PnP.
Not as energetic on day 2, which I often find with Grenache. — 4 days ago

Jenks

9.4

Drank through a vertical of this, 2012-2015, quite different oldest to youngest. The ‘12 smelled like a dusty old closet, some funk, surprisingly lean wine, good after some air. ‘14 was the best mix of fruit and garrigue. Fun experience. — 12 days ago

Lauren

9.8

2003 from nennen and popop. Really good — 21 days ago

Adam Gäfvert

9.2

This is the wine of Jean-Claude Berrouet own estate. He’s former winemaker and Technical Director of Petrus and made 44 vintages of Petrus. Black currants, plum, earth, bay leaf, cedar wood, orange peel and a mineral finish. Fantastic value. — 2 months ago

Vanessa

9.2

“Nothing added, nothing removed” is a phrase some use to describe the philosophy of low-intervention (or “natural”) winemaking. 🌱

The winemaker is like a vessel, carrying Mother Nature’s gifts from the land (and vintage) to your glass, where each sip can transport you to a particular place and time.

Nicolas Joly is an illustrious vigneron revered for his deep commitment to biodynamics and minimal intervention winemaking. 👏 He leads his family’s estate – Famille Joly – located in the prestigious appellation of Savennières in the Anjou-Saumur region of Loire Valley and specializes in top quality, cerebral, age-worthy dry whites made from the Chenin Blanc grape.

This takes patience, strength, and resilience for which the seahorse is a spiritual symbol (among other things). 🌊 It’s no wonder the Famille Joly features this beautiful, gentle creature on its bottle and labels.

This wine comes from ‘Les Vieux Clos’ where vines are harvested at 25 hL/ha which is HALF of the appellation’s allowance of 50 hL/ha.  👀

As a result of favorable growing conditions and these low yields, the grapes were allowed to become ripe, which explains the high alcohol at 14% ABV and round but balanced fruit expression.

This wine underwent a wild fermentation, followed by a natural malolactic conversion (MLC), and then it aged 12 months in large neutral oak with no fining or filtering before bottling.

The color is pale gold. On the nose and palate are harmonious notes of yellow apple, quince, papaya, dried orange peel, citrus blossom, chamomile, ginger, saffron, cinnamon, cream, white pepper, lanolin, wet slate …

It has power and elegance, nuance and vibrancy, with a persistent finish.  We think it pairs nicely with the baked herb & lemon salmon, asparagus and couscous.

Cheers to winemakers who share a piece of their land and heritage with the world one glass at a time! 🥂🥂🥂
— 25 days ago

with Deked1

Austin Hohnke

9.0

All Merlot and all about finesse. Floral and fine with no hard edges. — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Medium Ruby color with aromas of ripe black and red fruits and pepper spice. On the palate flavors of plums and ripe red berries with herb, licorice and pepper spice. Fine soft tannins with, medium+ finish ending with fruit, mushroom and earthy notes. — 18 days ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.3

Very nice Pomerol in this so-so vintage!
Cherries, pomegranate, brown spices and freshly cut herbs. Although the tannines still are slightly coarse, IMO, this is drinking very nicely now. — a month ago

Brooks Burgum

9.4

Great wine — 13 days ago

Paul J

9.6

1hr+ decant. Maroon color on the pour but darkish red in the glass. Aged Bordeaux on the nose with cedar and floral elements. Palate reflects the same with dark cherries, tobacco, and anise. Medium plus depth and medium finish. Right in my wheelhouse! — 4 months ago

with Brooke