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Candela Prol, highly experienced certified wine educator and friend of the shop, is available for tastings and training for private and corporate events. For rates and other inquiries, please contact her at candelaprol@gmail.com .
*Offsite events are contracted to and coordinated by a 3rd party, and are in no way affiliated with Chambers Street Wines.
As we noted a few days ago, growers in the Loire and in many regions of France are carefully allocating their remaining 2020s and have very little new wine to sell from the 2021 vintage, having lost 50% to 95% of their crop to frost, mildew and hail. It's truly a sad situation and has had some tragic consequences. We wish Loire estates well for the upcoming harvest - despite the recent heat wave most domains are predicting an early but decent harvest...fingers crossed.
On offer today are tiny allocations from two of the finest producers of Loire whites, Domaine Francois Chidaine and Domaine Gérard Boulay. While allocations from Boulay are never very large, those who appreciate great values from Touraine should note that the five cases of Chidaine Touraine Sauvignon Blanc "Clos de la Grange" are all that are currently available. Let's hope there is another shipment in the fall or winter!
Fortunately, there is a good quantitly of wine available from our old friend Jo Landron!
For thirty years we have had the great pleasure of working with Jo at the Domaine de la Louvetrie (now simply known as Domaines Landron) and of course enjoying his superb Muscadets on a regular basis. Jo is one of the heroes of Loire Valley viticulture and has been a leader in the resurgence of quality in Muscadet by his example of converting to organic agriculture, hand-harvesting, wild yeast fermentations and terroir specific, single-vineyard bottlings. His great work and engaging personality have been an inspiration to the region and have helped lead the way to the new Cru Communal classifications, finally bringing recognition to the potential of Muscadet.
We're proud to offer two beautiful wines from this great estate, with a good supply available, so stock up now on these marvelous Muscadets, certified Organic by Ecocert and Biodynamic by Biodyvin.
2021 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine "Amphibolite" from 35 - 40 year-old vines on a terroir of amphibolite stones - a grey/green metamorphic rock from origins of Gabbro. The grapes are hand-harvested and ferment with wild yeasts with no chaptalizarion, yielding alcohol levels normally between 11 - 12%. "The wine presents elegant aromas mixing white flowers and fresh lemon. The palate has firm acidity with focused white fruits. Underscored by saline minerality, this Muscadet reveals the intimate harmony of grape and terroir bringing a subtle and vibrant energy - it excites the palate like a water made from stone..." (OK a bad translatiion but you get the idea...) 2021 is a great vintage for "Amphibolite" really showing the scintillating minerality that this wine is known for.
2019 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine "Les Houx" has always been a big favorite at Chambers Street, formerly labeled "Hermine d'Or," now named after the vineyard, which is near the "Fief du Breil" - a great parcel of thin sandy clay soils, rich with silica, quartz and iron, over a bedrock of gneiss and clay. 2019 is a great vintage for "les Houx" - it's a beautiful wine and a great value, cellar for a few years if possible.. (The pronounciation is a little difficult, you know the French - sounds like "Layzooh")
Wines arrive on or before Tuesday 8/9. Normal case/mixedcase discounts apply
Boulay, Gérard 2021 Sancerre Chavignol
This lovely Sancerre is from parcels in the village of Chavignol on Kimmeridgean limestone. The soil is plowed, the grapes are hand-harvested and the fermentation is with wild yeasts. The Loire Valley experienced devastating frosts in April of 2021 which lowered yields drmatically. The quality of the vintage however, turned out well, particularly for the whites which are fresh and well-balanced. The 2021 Boulay Chavignol shows pretty aromas of dried pear, grapefruit, lime flower and herbs with a hint of honey. The palate is framed in refreshing acidity with pear and apple fruit, citrus and saline minerals. Serve with any seafood dish, chicken, pork and mild cheeses, of course with Crottin de Chavignol....
Chidaine 2021 Touraine Clos de la Grange
This incredible Loire Valley producer based in Montlouis sources grapes from several vineyards in Touraine to create this classic, easy-drinking Sauvignon Blanc at an affordable price. Vinified and aged in stainless steel, this wine is described by the Chidaines: "Dry and fruity white wine with a limpid and brilliant color. Floral nose that gradually reveals a delicate citrus bouquet. The palate is balanced between a beautiful freshness and lovely ripe fruit. To be enjoyed now as an accompaniment to grilled fish, shellfish, shrimp and avocado salad, goat cheese or simply as an aperitif." An excellent choice for fans of Sancerre, or those looking for a light, crisp, mineral-driven white.
Landron, Jo 2021 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Amphibolite
(Arrives Friday 4/28) Amphibolite - a metamorphic stone generally formed from gabbro or basalt, with a high concentration of iron and magnesium, prevalent in the vineyard, over a bedrock of gneiss. The wine from this vineyard is low in alcohol (normally about 11 - 12.5%, the 2021 is at 12%) and high in acidity and mineral salts. Bottled after 4 months sur-lie aging and retaining a bit of CO2 from the fermentation, the Cuvée Amphibolite is refreshing, stimulating and a perfect complement to shellfish and light seafood dishes. In 2021 the wine is lovely, with subtle aromas of ripe citrus confit, almond, pear, granny smith and sea air in Maine; the palate is bone dry and refeshing with stone and white fruits, showing the lighter style for which it is famous. Enjoy over the next few years with some Glidden Point or Wellfleet oysters or any mildly flavored fish, even roast chicken. David Lillie
Landron, Jo 2020 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Les Houx
The 2020 "les Houx" is a great Muscadet by Jo Landron coming from an organic/biodynamic vineyard on clay and sand over a sub-soil of gneiss, rich in iron and quartz and quite high in acidity. Kept on the lees for 12 months. In the glass, this white is a clear lemon in color. Aromatically defined by bright mineral stoniness, softened by smells of flowers and herbs. A richer, more concentrated core of yellow stone fruit develops as the wine gets some air. On the palate, mild flavors of cured lemon and apricot are accented by a hit of salinity, all culminating in a simple, precise finish of anise and flint. Lovely acid and a tender mouthfeel drives the structure. This will drink well young, with grilled or steamed fish and shellfish but also with crab, langoustines and lobster, especially after a few years of aging. For those who like some minerals in their Muscadet...