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! 🥂🥂🥂
— a day ago

with Deked1

Ted

9.1

Delicious to the last drop. Better the colder it gets. — a month ago

with Jeni

Matthew Cohen

9.3

Nose: pink roses.

Palate: so fresh. Pink rose juice. Elegant blackberries. Still young. Silky tanins. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Multiple bottles opened from the same source; all stored in ideal cellar conditions. The 2014 “Basarin” pours an almost turbid garnet color with an orange rim; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. Some light signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of bruised strawberries, a combination of dead and dried flowers, leather, mint and earth. Some VA. Showing some oxidation. On that palate, the wine is bone dry with medium+ tannin and high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose though I might add a slight Balsamic note. Medium finish. Despite presenting more advanced than I would expect, it came across fairly polished. This is my first experience with this producer so I’m curious if this is characteristic? This could also just be the 2014 vintage doing 2014 vintage things. If I had any of these, I would consider drinking them before 2029. — 15 days ago

Karyn Fricke

9.0

Aromas of soft citrus and peach with hints of minerals. Crisp acidity, good with roasted carrots, potatoes and chicken. Clean refreshing finish and a good value. — 17 days ago

Adriana

9.5

jasmine / passion fruit / wet clay — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.6

Chilled and opened about an hour before dinner and allowed to gently come to temp. Served alongside charcoal grilled Thai sausage, sticky rice, coconut Thai curry, herb salad, shallot, lime, garlic, chiles. Tonight, this bottle was nothing short of remarkable. A deep golden color with gorgeous notes of squishy tropical fruit, white flowers, and turmeric. Wooly and waxy with acid for dayzzz. Stunning now but this bottle would show well through 2029 without breaking a sweat. — 23 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.1

Tito yuca aaron wero andrian dany gtz — 3 days ago

Ted

9.2

Awesome wine. Juicy with mouthwatering acidity. — a month ago

with Jeni

Emanuel Reitano

8.9

Would buy again under $35. Good mouth feel. Oxidative character on the nose, smells like the crust of an apple galette that’s been brushed with egg wash, or an undercooked challah french toast. Delicate bluish and greenish purples pop from the pale gold backdrop. Pretty tight bubbles but could be tighter. Could be dryer. Could be more acidic. If this had more minerality I’d love it. — a month ago