Jousset, Lise et Bertrand 2015 Montlouis-sur-Loire Premier Rendez-Vous

Chenin Blanc from two terroirs in Montlouis - 40 year-old vines on sand and silex soils over limestone and 70 year-old vines on clay/limestone soils, yields of 30 hl/ha, aged in 2 to 8 year-old large barrels. The 2015 Premier Rendez-Vous is a beautiful wine. Pale gold color; the aromas are very floral - iris and lime flower with pear, peach, apricot and citrus; the palate is silky and textured with chalky minerals beneath ripe white fruits and citrus peel; the finish is long and tart with refreshing lemony acidity. A delightful wine that is delicious now and will drink beautifully over the next five to eight years. DL

Jousset, Lise et Bertrand 2014 Montlouis-sur-Loire 1er RV "Longue"

Lise & Bertrand's 'Version Longue' is sourced from the same two terroirs in Montlouis as the Chenin Blanc for their regular 1er Rendez-Vous but with an extra year of elevage in large used barrels. Vines are a mix of 40 and 70 years old; soils are a combination of sand, silex, and clay over limestone. The 2014 is very bright and mineral, with persistent fruits of dried calimyrna figs, husky green pear skin, wildflower honey, and ripe Meyer lemon throughout. The palate is just off-dry with a high and persistent acidity that keeps the wine feeling fresh and supple into a lengthy finish.  A great pairing for bloomy rind cheeses such as Camembert or Brie, richer, not overly spicy Pakistani or North Indian cuisine, and any dish with wild mushrooms. Harmonious and elegant now, this  will develop deliciously in the cellar for another 10 years. Drink with only a moderate chill. Karina Mackow

Jousset, Lise et Bertrand 2015 Vin de France Exile Blanc

This is a lovely blend of Chenin and Chardonnay from Lise and Bertrand Jousset, showing lime flower, melon, pear and lemon zest aromas. The palate is round and balanced with white fruits, melon, citrus and herbal flavors backed by firm lemony acidity. A delightful and versatile wine that will compliment  a wide variety of fish and chicken dishes, Asian foods and mild cheeses. DL

Jousset, Lise et Bertrand 2014 Montlouis-sur-Loire L'Appetillant Brut

L'Appetillant is the Joussets' sparkling Montlouis, 100% Chenin Blanc, Champagne method (or should we say "Methode Traditionelle") made with no sulfur and no dosage. All cellar functions by gravity, no pumping, fermentation in one to seven year-old barrels, approximately 12 months on the lees. From 40 year-old vines on sand and silex soils over limestone. This version is absolutely delicious with lovely aromas of pear, lime-flower, stone and caramel, quite subtle and complex. White fruits, citrus and stone on the palate with nice chalky, lemony length. Drink over the next three years. This is a beautiful wine and is highly recommended!

Jousset, Lise et Bertrand 2015 Montlouis-sur-Loire Bubulles Pet Nat

Simply put, this is top-shelf Pét-Nat for a picnic-friendly price. From organically farmed Chenin vines (45 years of age on average) in Montlouis-sur-Loire in soils of sand and silex over limestone. All cellar operations are by gravity, without pumping, the fermentation is in 3 to 6 year-old barriques of 225 and 400 liters. The wine is vibrant straw yellow and adorned with a fine mousse. The nose reveals aromas of ripe pear, Granny Smith, lime flower, creamy lemon with heather honey and stone. A finely chiseled palate is a bit off-dry with hints of dried pear, apple and anise over a core of saline minerals with terrific length. This is a thirst-quenching Pet-Nat, made without sulfur, that happens to be a serious and elegant wine! 

Laguerre 2015 Côtes du Roussillon Eos Blanc

From 40% Grenache Blanc, 30% Maccabeu and 30% Rolle (Vermentino) grown on granite soils in Eric's high-altitude organic vineyards. Very pale bronze color. The wine shows intriguing aromas of stone, dried pear, citrus and almond that deepen on the palate. Quite dense and backed with firm acidity and stone flavors, this is a real wine of the mountains, echoing the granite soils of Muscadet. This intriguing young wine will drink well over the next three to five years -  it's an everyday white of great character that will accompany a wide variety of seafood and chicken dishes, goat and sheep cheeses as well. A fabulous value and highly recommended!

Laguerre 2015 Côtes du Roussillon Eos Rosé

Another delicious wine from the affable and talented Eric Laguerre, from organic Syrah, Carignan and Grenache vines grown on granite soils high in the mountains of the Roussillon. Lovely  pink/garnet color, aromas of raspberry, red currant, blood orange and spice. Beautiful bright red fruits on the palate with citrusy acids in a very firm, mineral frame and good length, really delicious! This is a real rosé of terroir that will gain complexity over the next few months and drink well through 2017. Perfect with a salade niçoise, grilled fish, chicken and pork and great to sip by itself. Highly recommended! 

Laguerre 2014 Côtes du Roussillon Le Ciste Rouge

40% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 15% Carignan and 15% Mourvedre grown in granite soils in Eric Laguerre's high-altitude vineyards in the Roussillon. Normally Eric's most dense and tannic red, the 2014 Le Ciste Rouge is a softer and immediately friendly wine that is delicious now and over the next 5 to 8 years. The aromas are a lovely melange of red fruits; red currant, tart cherry and blackberry with hints of earth, cocoa and spice. The palate is quite pretty and bright with raspberry and red-currant fruit, violets and licorice with soft tannins and refreshing acidity. At 12.5% alcohol it's balanced and versatile, perfect with roast or grilled chicken, grilled pork, charcuterie and mild cheeses, serve cool and enjoy!