Baudry 2020 Chinon Le Clos Guillot

Le Clos Guillot is a beautiful south-east facing vineyard, just east of the town of Chinon, above the Clos de l'Olive and adjacent to Le Chêne Vert. The upper slope of the parcel is clay over limestone (the lower part has sand and gravel over the rock, which permitted a tiny separate production from franc de pied vines, now mostly deceased) and the vines are young, planted from 1993 to 2000. Fermentation in wooden cuves, 12 months of aging in three to ten year-old barriques, 9 additional months in unlined cement vats. We have been buying this wine since it's first production in 2000 – it's one of the most elegant and Burgundian of Chinons. It's become increasingly difficult to write superlatives about this wine, as each vintage since 2014 has been superb in it's own way.  And now 2020, a vintage the Baudrys describe as having old fashioned aromas and freshness typical of Chinon in years past, with firm acidity permitting long-term aging. The wine shows subtle, pretty aromas of raspberry,  strawberry, earth, violet and citrus with hints of meat and bitter chocolate, bright and high-toned. The palate is medium-bodied and earthy with a chalky texture and firm acidity. The berry fruits have nice density, light but persistent, merging with mineral flavors in the long and very food friendly finish. This is a beautiful wine for those who appreciate subtlety and earthiness in their Chinons, reminding me of 2012 and 2014. Serve now with monkfish or halibut, roast chicken and white meats. This will be a lovely, light-bodied mature wine in 10 to 20 years.  David Lillie

Bellivière 2020 Coteaux du Loir L'Effraie

The Bellivière "L'Effraie" Coteaux du Loir is just superb - coming after 4 difficult vintages, fiinally in 2020 there were good yields and perfect ripeness. Here is the Wine Doctor review and we agree..."an assemblage from 3.5 hectares of vines aged between 10 and 15 years, planted across 11 parcels. In this vintage it has a gentle demi-sec style with 16 g/L of residual sugar, and it was bottled just one week before my tasting. This displays great purity on the nose, with white peach and crushed chalk intertwined, along with a touch of mint. The palate builds on this excellent first impression, as it has texture and richness, breadth and substance, yet it drives forward across the palate with a great sense of energy. This is, especially taking into account it’s position in the portfolio, simply beautiful." Serve a an aperitif this summer, with melon or with a full-flavored fish or poultry dish...

Berthier, Clement & Florian 2021 Coteaux du Giennois "Terre de Silex"

Bonhomme, Pierre-Olivier 2021 Vin de France Le Telquel

(We have good stock of the 2021, and more is shipping from France!) This "poil dur" is wagging its tail again in 2021, with the brightness and balance of the old days at 11.5% alcohol, really refreshing and delicious! The wine shows bright plum, raspberry and green apple fruit with a bit of earth and spice. The palate is light and fresh but with nice density of fruit - raspberry, red currant and cherry with bright acidity, quite "gouleyant" - lip smacking and tasty that is, reminding us of the Ducroux Exspectatia...yum! The blend in 2021 is still based on Gamay, with Cabernet Franc, and some Syrah and Grenache from the Roussillon (noted from tasting with Pierre-O in February 2022).

Bonhomme, Pierre-Olivier 2022 Vin de France La Tesniere Pineau D'Aunis

This is a light and lovely expression of Pineau d'Aunis from Pierre-Olivier Bonhomme, from vines near the Cher river  on clay with silex in organic and biodynamic farming. Aged in old futs and demi-muids, bottled without filtration, minimal SO2. The 2022 shows a pretty light red color with subtle aromas of ripe raspberry, citrus, white pepper and violets, really pretty. A touch deeper than the 2021, it nonetheless delivers on the Pineau D'Aunis promise of peppery and bright rustic flavors. Lip-smacking acidity and a beautifully refreshing finish of minerals, earth and pretty red fruits. This is a delightfully refreshing version of Pineau d'Aunis - serve cool!

Bonhomme, Pierre-Olivier 2022 Vin de France Tesniere Blanc (Menu Pineau)

Menu Pineau, also known as "Arbois" is described in Wine Grapes  (J. Robinson et al.) as "an old variety from the Val de Loire named after its similarity to Gros Pineau (Chenin Blanc)...although it has nothing to do with the village called Arbois in the Franche-Comté." It is an offspring of Gouais Blanc, along with many other European grapes, and is "a little more rustic, but less acid than Chenin Blanc," according to Thierry Puzelat. The 2022 La Tesnière Blanc by Pierre-Olivier Bonhomme is from organically-grown vines, 75% Menu Pineau and 25% Chenin Blanc. The wine shows a bright pale gold color, with subtle aromas of grapefruit, dried pear and apple, dried herbs, nettle, lemon peel, stone and caramel. The palate is austere and stony, with firm acidity and flavors of hazelnut, citrus, baked apple, earth and brown spice. A really fascinating wine and a great pairing with sushi, grilled fish with fennel, lemon chicken, aged goat cheeses and much more. Highly recommended to lovers of unique natural wines.

Bonnefoy (La Madone) 2022 Côtes du Forez "Dacite"

The 2022 Bonnefoy "Dacite" is from 100% clay-granitic soil of the GRANO-DIORITE A DACITE type. This granite, unique in our region, comes from a block of rock from the Monts du Forez, which peaked in the primary era at more than 8,000 meters. A rare phenomenon, this DACITE contains calcium. This rock erodes, giving infertile, grainy soils with low clay content for the region (about 25%)." This lovely wine shows very floral, raspberry and minty aromas with a velvety, supple palate of pretty berry fruits. Serve this quite cool this summer, in the style of a delicious old-fashioned Beaujolais...

Bonnefoy (La Madone) 2022 Côtes du Forez "La Madone"

The Gilles Bonnefoy "Gamay sur Vulcan" is from 15 to 30 year-old vines, 50% on basalt soils, 50% on granit/clay soils on the slopes of an ancient volcano. Hand harvested with low yields, the grapes are de-stemmed and undergo a short fermentation with native yeasts. The wine is lightly filtered and bottled with minimal SO2. The color is a warm purple, with lighter violet edges. Nose is plush red and black berries, a minerally smoke, black tea, with an airy, grassy aroma. Palate has tart cherries and plums, a flash of limestone, and a hint of rich, woodsy earth develops on a long, engaging finish. The wine's structure, crisp but juicy, makes it incredibly drinkable. Complex and fresh, serve with a slight chill, and drink this summer.

Bonnefoy (La Madone) 2022 Côtes du Forez "Migmatite"

The 2022 Cote du Forez "Migmatite" from Gilles Bonnefoy at Les Vins de la Madone is a extraordinary Gamay from 50 year-old vines in a unique parcel of granite/clay soils very rich in mica. The grapes are hand-harvested with yields of only 25 hl/ha,  followed by whole cluster fermentation with native yeasts. Aging is in cuve inox, with a light filtration and the wine is bottled with minimal SO2, per Demeter Biodynamic rules.  The wine shows a deep black/purple color with elegant aromas of ripe black fruits, very floral and fresh. The palate is fabulously deep, dense and velvety with lush black fruits above a very present saline mineral character that lifts the vibrant black fruits in the long refreshing finish. Just a beautiful wine and perfect with grilled foods this summer, charcuterie  and cheeses or just sipped cool by itself. This is the most "serious" of Gilles' wines to be offered this year -  put a few in the cellar as the wine should develop nicely over the next 3 to 5 years. Highly recommemded!

Bonnefoy (La Madone) 2022 Côtes du Forez Mémoires de Madone VV

The 2022 Gilles Bonnefoy "Memoire de Madone" is made from old vines of a local Gamay grown on volcanic soils (basalt) in the Côtes de Forez (upper Loire east and a bit south of Lyon). The grapes are harvested by hand, partially de-stemmed and undergo a 15-day fermentation with wild yeasts. The wine shows a bright black/purple color with deep aromas of blackberry and black currant with hints of violet, stone and citrus. The palate is dense but light on its feet with a firm backbone of mineral flavors and earthy acidity under the blackberry and black raspberry fruit, with herbal and citrus notes. This is the most dense and structured of Bonnefoy's Gamays, and will benefit from decanting or a few hours aeration, serve with grilled pork, coq au vin, full-flavored cheeses. David Lillie

Bonnefoy (La Madone) 2022 Côtes du Forez Rosé Gamay sur Volcan

The delicious 2022 Gilles Bonnefoy Rosé is made from Gamay grown in both volcanic and clay/granit soils in the Côtes du Forez  (upper Loire, east and a bit south of Lyon).  The grapes are hand-harvested and ferment with wild yeasts, half is rosé de saigné, half is direct press. The wine shows a bright pink color and pretty floral aromas of raspberry and strawberry, with hints of citrus, spice and white peach. The palate is light and crisp but with nice density and saline minerals under the red fruits, finishing with good length of stone, citrus and berry fruits. Serve as a refreshing aperitif or with salads, grilled meats, seafood and goat cheeses. This should open up nicely over the summer and drink well through 2024. lovely wine and a great value!   David Lillie

Bonnefoy (La Madone) 2022 IGP Urfé Roussanne de Madone

The beautiful Roussanne from Gilles Bonnefoy is from 20+ year-old vines (partly massale selection from Quenard in Savoie) grown on the steep south face of the volcano of Purchon.  Bonnefoy  farms these young vines carefully, keeping yields  very low to promote concentration and  harvesting late (Roussanne takes a long time to ripen fully) and by hand. Native yeast fermentation takes place in used barrels; the wine ages in the same.  In the glass, the Roussanne  is pale and shows  a very expressive nose of white flowers, green herbs, and a touch of orchard fruits. Given the freshness of the nose, the palate is surprisingly and lusciously dense and complex, with pear, peach, citrus and herbal notes as well as long and broad minerality. A great expression of Roussanne on unique Volcanic terroir.   Only 3000 bottles produced.

Bonnefoy (La Madone) 2022 IGP Urfé Sauvignons Gris/Blanc Volcan

 The Bonnefoy 2022 "Sauvignons" is 60% Sauvignon Gris and 40% Sauvignon Blanc (massale selection) grown in basalt soils on the east face of the volcano of Purchon. Farming is certified organic and Biodynamic, all harvests are by hand, and Gilles Bonnefoy has a low-intervention approach in the cellar, where he eschews additives or new oak. The nose shows flinty stone and ripe citrus notes that continue on the palate,  which shows further notes of gooseberries and a slight tropicality. There's nice density and length here, making it a quite serious expression of Sauvignon, distinguished by its long and dense mineral finish. A lovely wine that should definitely not be served too cold: this is Sauvignon with real substance.

Bregeon, Michel 2022 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie

Fred Lallier is now in charge at Domaine Bregeon and is doing great work at this important estate - one of the leaders in the return to quality in Muscadet. Certified organic, the 2022 Muscadet is from average 40 year-old vines in Gabbro terroirs in and around Gorges - it shows distinctive aromas associated with this terroir - pear, stone, petrol, anise and mushroom, with lovely white fruits in this ripe vintage with hints of lemon confit and wet stone. The palate is round and ripe, framed in firm acidity and mineral flavors, with stone fruits, earth, almond, anise and citrus that continue in the long finish. This is a lovely Muscadet in a riper style that is quite delicious now and should open up nicely over the next five years. Please decant or open an hour in advance.  David Lillie

Careme, Vincent 2021 Vouvray Sec

His 2021 Sec is lovely and vibrant very dry Vouvray that is simply delicious for current drinking as an aperitif or with anything from the sea. "Aromatically this is a huge contrast to the 2020 vintage, kicking off with suggestions of bright acidulous fruits, smoky pear and peach, fragranced with white flowers. A charming style on the palate, softly poised with notes of pear and peach, but it comes set in an integrated frame of acidity, giving it a finessed balance. It has a fine energy in the finish, bitter and lightly gripped. A fine sec, this should drink well for at least five years, and probably a lot longer." Winedoctor

Chateau Favray 2021 Pouilly-Fumé

Located in the north-east corner of Pouilly-Fumé we find Chateau Favray, an ancient farm with abandonned vineyards that was ressurected by Quentin David and family begining in 1981. The soils in this corner of the appellation are Oxfordian limestone of Villiers and hard grey limestone of Tonnerre with limestone pebbles and fossilzed shells and corals. The 2021 has great energy with bright grapefruit citrus, peach, white flowers and fresh cut grass on the nose. The palate is clean and focused with a mineral core and vibrant acidity giving a sense of power while still feeling light and pure. It's a wonderful value and would pair nicely with seafood or lighter vegetable dishes while being equally enjoyable on its own. Jeff DiLorenzo

Chevalerie 2018 Bourgueil Busardière

From a 2 ha plot located fairly high on the slope, just below the Peu Muleau with more clay, and shallow soils closer to the Turonian yellow tuffeau. In the right hands, 2018 was a superb vintage for Loire Valley reds and the Busardieres was extraordinary at last winter's tasting, showing an incredibly elegant melange of dark fruit and mineral flavors with great purity and length,  in the same mold as the Baudry Croix Boissée. If drinking now, please give it a lengthy decant or open the day before, best to wait 5 years then enjoy until 2040 and beyond. David Lillie

Chevalerie 2014 Bourgueil Bretêche

Bretêche (Domaine de la Chevalerie is the only estate claiming this vineyard name) is the easternmost vineyard, a rented plot on the border of Ingrandes-de-Touraine. On the southwestern exposed upper part of the mid-slope, the vines are planted on a meter-deep heavier clay with high mica content above the Turonian yellow tuffeau. The vines, biodynamically farmed, are between 25 to 55 years old. More powerful than Busardières with broader tannins, the wine maintains a great freshness. Hand-harvested and destemmed, the grapes are macerated for up to 20 days and aged in large used barrels in the magnificent underground cave dug into the yellow tuffeau for roughly 8 to 10 moths. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered.  2014 is considered a great classic vintage in the Loire for Cabernet Franc, and it is indeed very good at Domaine de la Chevalerie, with fruit a little darker than the 2015 (this opposite to a lot of other estates in the region).  Ruby purple in the glass this cuvée as usual has more freshness, tension and a little austerity - 2014 enhances these typical quality of the wine! More open than the 2015, the nose has distinctive black cherry,  elderberry notes, Chinese badiane and spearmint. The palate is still deliciously youthful barely showing any evolution, with lean and brilliant acidity, and oolong-like tannins. It is already very-well structured and poised, not angular at all. Decant it 2 hours and serve it in Bordeaux glasses, or keep it 20 years or so - I would say it will reach another plateau by 2025. Enjoy it with a duck magret, the juice reduced with a touch of raspberry vinegar, or sweetbreads in a madeira sauce. 100% Cabernet Franc. Pascaline Lepeltier 

Chevalerie 2015 Bourgueil Peu Muleau

(Arrives 5/9) Peu Muleau is located on the upper part of the hill in Bourgueil, just below the forest, on Cenozoic eolian sands with iron, clay and altered limestone tuffeau. The vines are around 35 years old, and farmed biodynamically. The maceration lasts less than 20 days. Aging is done in a mix of tank and large used barrels with less and less oak. This is the earliest drinking single-vineyard cuvée, always on the raspberry and wild violet with very supple tannins, but you can keep it up to 10 years without a problem. Peu Muleau is always more linear than Les Galichets - it does not have the same clay-gravel flesh, dancing on its feet with great elegance. The 2015 shows a bright red color and aromas that are more earth than fruit with subtle raspberry, strawberry, citrus and spice. The palate is a lovely blend of earth and red fruits, fairly tight but quite elegant with firm acidity and mineral flavors blending with raspberry and violet in the finish. Warning - not a fruit bomb and best suited to those who like some rocks in their wine. Best to decant or cellar 3 - 5 years.  David Lillie 

Chevalerie 2015 Bourgueil Les Galichets

The Chevalerie "Galichets" vineyard is on mid-slope Turonian limestone with clay and alluvial sand and gravel topsoil, rich in silex; the vines average about 60 years of age - similar to the "Chevalerie" parcel but a bit lower on the slope, giving a wine that is more open and easy for early drinking.  The 2015 vintage is excellent, with a bit more ripeness and lower acidity than 2014, while retaining the core of minerals and acidity always found in the Chevalerie wines. The aromas of black raspberry and blackberry fruit are ripe and floral. The palate is dense and silky, very mineral with ripe red and black fruits and a clean vibrant finish. Still quite youthful, but drinking beautifully now.  David Lillie

Chevalerie 2018 Bourgueil Cuvée Chevalerie

 The "home" vineyard also produced a superb wine in 2018, perhaps les dense and dark than the Busardières, but more expressive of the very old vines and the limestone below and beatifully balanced. La Chevalerie, between the Galichets and the winery, is slightly higher on the slope, with more clay on the top part. The Turonian tuffeau is not even three feet below. The oldest vines date from 1903 and 1922, the average being 75 years. The sandier part of the plot goes into the Galichets. This cuvée is a perfect introduction to the more “serious” tuffeau driven bottlings of the domaine.  You still get the flesh and texture brought by the sand, you also pick up the racy, salty and fresh acidity typical of the tuffeau. The fruit becomes more blue with distinctive herbal notes. The Caslots have farmed this parcel since 1640! The 2018 will be great fun to enjoy in its youthful intensity, but best to wait 5 to 8 years then drink until 2040..

Chevalerie 2019 Bourgueil Diptyque "Franco de Port"

The Chevalerie Bourgueil Diptyque is from vines located on 1 to 2 meters deep sand and gravel intermixed with clay soils on an old alluvial terrace close to the Loire, at the foot of the coteau. This terroir  gives supple, fruit driven Cabernet without being green or too simple thanks to the Biodynamic farming of the domain. If you don’t believe cabernet franc can be delicious, juicy, savoury yet fruity, just try this wine! The 2019 Diptyque shows a deep black/red color with aromas of forest floor, black cherry liqueur, black raspberry, bitter chocolate and licorice with bright hints of herbs and citrus peel. The palate is bright, sapid and supple wth dense flavors of earth, black fruits , anise, cocoa and chalky minerals - very similar to the very ripe 2018 version, but a bit less forward.  Even if it is the vin de soif, you can drink it over a couple of days - it will only get better! Keep it up to 5 years - serve with charcuterie, pork chops or roast chicken and be happy!

Chevalerie NV Vin de France Bulle de Fort

The brand new Domaine de la  Chevalerie "Bulle de Fort" is a direct press rosé Petillant Naturel, 100% Cabernet Franc and just incredibly delicious!! Warning, this is not a wimpy pale pink rosé - it shows a deep cherry-red color and a ripe full-bodied palate with beautiful deep red currant/raspberry fruit, a real wine of terroir with bubbles! Really quite sensational, can't wait to bring some home...

Christian Venier 2022 Cheverny "Le Clos des Carteries"

The cherubic Christian Venier is a cousin of the Puzelat brothers from Clos du Tue Boeuf, and like them, an early proponent of making wines the old fashioned way, without additives or manipulation.  His parcels are meticulously tended, and the wines of the Venier family always have a special vibrancy that I can only ascribe to the magic of the place (or maybe the wild yeast populations in the parcels or cellar). Clos de Carteries is primarily Gamay, from roughly 30 year old vines on clay and limestone with sand and silex. Whole cluster fermentation in open vats for 20 days, followed by 6 months in tank. Violet and floral notes on the nose, great concentration, with subtle peppery notes, and a very graceful finish. It's drinking nicely now, but with the leathery structure that we observed, it should definitely age well too. Of the two Venier reds we have, this is the one to put down for up to 5 years, or to pair with a nice hearty meal this Fall!  ~EL

Christian Venier 2022 Cheverny "Les Hauts de Madon" Rouge

We love the Venier 'Hauts de Madon' in 2022. Give or take depending on the vintage, this cuvée is 80% Pinot Noir/20% Gamay, with plenty of trademark Venier spice, almost referencing Languedoc aromatics of thyme and rosemary. If you've had Venier's wines over the years, this vintage is a welcome return to some of the lighter and more vibrant bottlings from the earlier part of this decade, and is truly a "Pur Vin." I do believe it will age very nicely over the next 3-5 years, but we don't necessarily see any dire need to age it past a year since it's so lovely already.  -EL

Courault, Benoit 2022 VDF Petillant Nature Ephemeres

Benoit Courault's 2022 "Ephemeres" Petillant is a beautifully refreshing, pure and incredibly delicious sparkling Chenin Blanc, grab some before it disappears...

Courault, Benoît 2022 Vin de France Le Verger de L'Etang

Benoit Courault's 2022 "Verger de L'Etang" is a delightful blend of Grolleau and Pineau D'Aunis vinified with minimal extraction to preserve the beautiful cherry/berry fruit. Vibrant and refreshing with light, silky red fruits with a hint of white pepper from the Pineau D'Aunis, finishing with vibrant fruit and brisk acidity, just delicious!

Dauny 2022 Sancerre Clos du Roy

Domaine Dauny in Crézancy has been organic since 1964 - Nicole and Christian are the twelveth generation at the estate!  The Dauny Clos du Roy is from 40 year-old vines in this famous limestone vineyard. The 2022 has a pale, lemon yellow robe. On the nose it shows ripe stone fruit and golden apple aromas with notes of greengage and Meyer Lemon zest. The mid-weight palate is supple and balanced framed by a salty sense of minerality, with fresh, mouthwatering acidity on a medium long, succulent, slightly herbaceous finish. This was a fine pairing with squash crudo with pistachios, olive oil, and mint and better still with pan roasted chicken breast stuffed with herbed goat cheese and chard. Though for those who are looking for a fresh summer aperitif, not to worry--the 2022 holds plenty of charm.

Dauny 2022 Sancerre Rosé Pynoz

Showing deep salmon red in the glass and dense fruit on the palate, the 2022 Dauny Sancerre rose is an assertive wine.  The nose jumps out of the glass with fresh summer peaches and red cherries backed by lime zest and a slight but distinct note of smoke.  Soft red fruits shine through on the palate with strawberries and cherries over tart citrus and bracing minerality.  The wine is full and even a touch velvety with a crisp acidity that keeps the finish elegant, rather than being too weighty.  Best drunk with a juicy grilled chicken, fresh chevre, or any finger food at hand all summer long.

Delecheneau (Grange Tiphaine) 2022 Touraine Sauvignon "Trinqu'âmes"

Trinqu'âmes is a very cute pun which means "Let's toast to our souls."  It is what Sauvignon de Touraine should taste like! This wine made under the négoce label of Coralie & Damien Delecheneau: for a couple of years now they have been buying organic grapes at the right price from neighbors they helped with the farming transition. This is great négoce wine. The vineyards are located in a perfect spot for Sauvignon Blanc: between Amboise and Oisly, the sandy silex rich soil over clay allows a ripe expression of the grape with loosing its vibrancy. The grapes are hand-harvested with Damien's supervision, pressed directly, settled overnight than fermented spontaneously. The malo happens more and more, but does not affect the freshness of the wine. The wine is aged in cement for 6 months before lightly filtered with a sulfur dioxide adjustment.  Don't expect a lean, anemic, expression of Sauvignon blanc. Think more a baby expression of good Pouilly-Fumé (unfortunately they are rare...).  You get a bouquet of sage, lemongrass, Tahitian grapefruit with hints of white pepper and passion fruit. The palate has some texture and length allowing a lot of possible pairing, from green tomato & cucumber gazpacho to baked clams to kale caesar salad and young goat cheese. It is a really serious wine (you can even keep 2-3 years) for a ridiculous price! 100% Sauvignon.

Delrieu-Ducleux 2021 Vin de France La Joue Blanc (Chenin)

La Joue is a natural Chenin Blanc from younger vines planted in 1976 on typical shist soils of the region. The wine is fresh with nice cut and a lovely dense mouthfeel. Aging is half in stainless steel and half in used barrels. There's a delicate nose with stone fruit (white apricot) and some preserved lemon aromas. Tasting in February of this year (2023), Julien noted that there was some mousiness in the finish and that the wine needed to age in the bottle an additional 6-8 months. The bottle we opened here that just arrived from France did show some bacterial notes in the finish, but vastly improved from this past Winter. We would recommend waiting an additional 2-3 months, but if you can't wait, just chill it and drink it quickly with friends. The acidity and overall balance are impressive, there is a lovely wine here that will reveal itself fully with a few more months of aging.

Delrieu-Ducleux 2021 Vin de France Le Jeau Blanc (Chenin)

Le Jeau Blanc, from Julien Delrieu and Thibaut Duccleux is Chenin Blanc from a hillside parcel close to Les Nourissons of Stephane Bernaudeau, vines planted in 1955 on schist soils.

Delrieu-Ducleux 2021 Vin de France Le Jeau Rouge

Julien Delrieu has a touch for Chenin for sure, but also for red. This blend of Grolleau and Cabernet Franc is a pure "gourmandise," which is not a common thing to say when you know the wine is made in Anjou Noir. But the combination of faluns (a mix of limestone and sandy soils full of seashells) and deep gravelly soil and clay don't bring the usual, rustic tannic structure the reds from the region can have, and even more when the organic farming and the care given to the vines make you think more about gardening than viticulture. This cuvée comes from two plots, the main one giving the name to the wine. Grapes are vinified in fiberglass tank, whole bunches for the grolleau, half for the cabernet, with very gentle pigeage, then bottled in the spring. A very joyful wine, explosive with little red wild berries, and a hint of pepper, the palate is just vibrant and delicious, very Loire-like, crunchy with no green whatsoever but a gentle herbal quality enhancing the fruit. A little chill will make it even better! -PL

Domaine Aux Moines 2021 Savennieres Roche Aux Moines

Domaine aux Moines is operated by Tessa Laroche, organically, and now with biodynamic practices as well, farming under 10 hectares of Chenin Blanc. The vineyards stand next to the famed 'Coulée de Serrant' on South-West facing hillsides of predominately schist soils. Since her arrival Tessa has been improving every detail to be able to make more precise, transparent, complex wines. The results are spectacular and she is now one of the best examples of Roche-aux-Moines, and of course also Savennières. The 2021 Roche aux Moines from Tessa Laroche is a superb Chenin Blanc that features vibrant acidity and minerality, showing elegant aromas of pear and quince with limeflower and citrus, quite complex and pretty. The superb shist terroir of "Roche aux Moines" is fully captured in this wine which has fabulous depth of white fruit with very firm acidity and citrus, anise and stone in the long finish. "The 2021 from Tessa is very pretty with a dense concentration for the vintage, a lot of energy. Really go for it" says our friend Pascaline. Superb as a young wine, the aromas will open and evolve at about ten years, enjoy until 2041. Serve with pike, seabass, turbot, langoustines, scallops and lobster, not to mention risotto with truffles, riz de veau and andouilletes de Lyon au vin blanc...

Domaine de l'Ecu 2021 VdF 'Alaya - Love & Grapes' Pineau D'Aunis

Domaine de Reuilly 2022 Reuilly Pinot Gris Rosé

(Arrives Tues 8/8) The wines of the Domaine de Reuilly are getting better and better - the 2022 Rosé of Pinot Gris is from vines in  organic and biodynamic farning, fermented with wild yeasts. The color is a lovely pale onion skin, the aromas are floral and pretty with gooseberry, peach, dried apricot and citrus peel, really lovely. Light berry, peach, green tea and stone flavors on the palate are dense and creamy but framed in firm acidity. With good ripeness, but subtle and balanced, this unique rosé will accompany a wide variety of foods, from oysters with vinaigrette, fish, grilled pork and chicken and Asian foods, and it's lovely to sip by itself!  David Lillie

Foucher Lebrun 2022 Touraine Sauvignon Blanc

Made from organically farmed vineyards on the edge of the Touraine territory, this racy and energetic Sauvignon Blanc is the baby brother to the Foucher Sancerre Le Mont. Yet another astonishing Loire value from Maison Foucher.

Gerard Marula 2021 VdF 'C'est l'bon ch'min'

Gilbert 2021 Menetou-Salon Rouge

From 30 year-old vines planted at 10,000 vines per hectare, on clay over Kimmeridgian limestone in Menetou-Salon, where the highly valued "Marnes de Saint-Doulchard," rich in fossilized shells, gives particularly outstanding wines. Mostly de-stemmed, 3 week wild yeast fermentation in tronconic wood foudres. 12 months aging on the lees followed by 10 - 12 months in concrete vats. Philippe Gilbert's red Menetou-Salon, entirely from Pinot Noir is quite lovely in the 2021 vintage: "The nose is classic young Pinot Noir, with threads of strawberry, cherry and chestnut mushroom. The palate is just delicious, velvety and delineated, but cool and delicately formed, with bright acidity." Chriss Kissack in WineDoctor Serve cool...

Guion 2018 Bourgueil Cuvée Prestige

 2018 brings us another great Cuvée Prestige from Stéphane Guion in Bourgueil, whose domaine has been certified organic since the 1960s. From vines averaging 45 years old on thin topsoils of sandy clay over limestone (tuffau jaune) in Benais, a terroir that produces some of the most elegant and age-worthy Bourgueils. 2018 is a great vintage for Loire reds, despite the very warm and humid spring that brought attacks of mildew. The summer was perfect, warm and dry, without spikes of heat, and the soils retained enough moisture to bring freshness to the very ripe grapes. Tasted with Stéphane in February 2020, the 2018 Prestige showed elegant intensely perfumed aromas of red and black fruit liqueurs. The palate was complex and earthy, very calcaire, dense but not heavy with beautifully supple ripe red and black fruits, with a long finish of saline and mineral flavors quite present below the sappy fruit. We look forward to a more thorough tasting after the wine rests from its voyage, but it's quite clear that this will be delicious to drink as a young wine, and - although it may seem crazy to cellar a $17 wine for 20 to 30 years - those that do will be rewarded with a unique expression of this great terroir. I'm hoping to live to be 100 to have that experience myself!  David Lillie

Guion 2018 Bourgueil Deux Monts

From  70-80 year-old vines in "Petits Monts" and "Grand Monts" towards the top of the slope above Benais, facing roughly south-west, clay over Turonien limestone (tuffeau, craie micacée).  18-month élevage ; 40% in cuve inox, 20% in one new 400 liter barrel, 20% in one-year and 20% in two-year old barrels, assembled two months before bottling. This is the terroir giving the most elegant and age-worthy Bourgueils and 2018 is a magnificent vintage for this wine!  Tasted July 2022, the wine showed a deep red/black color and lush aromas of ripe cassis and black raspberry with hints of brown spice and oak. The palate is a lovely combination of ripe black fruits and bright acidity, dense and supple with graphite and saline minerals under the deep fruits in the very long finish. Forward enough to enjoy now, this will need time to unfold its mysteries and will be a very complex and beautiful mature wine, best to wait 5 years then drink until 2042 and beyond.

Guion 2020 Bourgueil Cuvée Candide

This is another beautiful wine from the shy and affable Stéphane Guion who is quietly making some of the best wines in Bourgueil. His 2020 Cuvèe Candide (Formerly Domaine) is from not-so-young (15 to 40 year-old) vines, on clay/limestone terroir in Benais and is equal to the superb 2018 and 2019 perhaps even better! The balance is just perfect at 12% alcohol. The wine shows a deep, vivid black/red color with bright rim with intense, pure aromas of cassis, black raspberry and blackberry confit (a little bighter than the 2019), stone and violets - very deep and ripe but still bright with earth and minerals as well. The palate is medium-bodied, finely textured, sappy and very fresh with firm acidity and chalky, saline mineral flavors framing the very pure blackberry and black cherry liqueur fruits, which continue in the long chalky finish, which somehow remains light and balanced. Great wine!  Drink now, served cool, with grilled chicken and pork, charcuterie, green vegetables and mild cheeses, or hold 5 to 8 years for a velvety mature experience. This is a brilliant wine, especially given the ridiculous price - enjoy! David Lillie

Huet 1947 Vouvray Haut Lieu Moelleux 1er Trie

Huet 1959 Vouvray Clos du Bourg Moelleux

Huet 1959 Vouvray Moelleux Haut Lieu 1er Trie

Huet 1971 Vouvray Clos du Bourg Moelleux

Huet 1990 Vouvray Clos du Bourg Moelleux 1er Trie

Huet 2003 Vouvray Clos du Bourg Moelleux 1er Trie 500ml

Huet 2003 Vouvray Cuvee Constance 500ml

Huet 2018 Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Moelleux 1er Trie

2018 Le Haut-Lieu Moelleux 1er Trie: 12.6% alc; 79 g/l RS; 3.8 g/l total acidity; pH 3.37 The 2018 dessert wines from Huet are superb - this delicious Le Haut Lieu will be a perfect ending to your Thanksgiving....

Huet 2018 Vouvray Le Mont Moelleux 1er Trie

2018 Le Mont Moelleux 1er Trie: 12.5% alc; 95 g/l RS; 3.6 g/l total acidity; pH 3.45

Huet 2019 Vouvray Clos du Bourg Sec

Clos du Bourg is one of the most mythical sites of Vouvray, with the vines growing their roots directly in the tuffeau of the cliff overlooking the main street of the village. This vineyard tends to produce the broadest, largest wines of the domaine, built to age for decades - the vines are also older on average. All the still wines at Huet are made the same way, the only difference being the picking, and the balance of the must. Aging happens mostly in larger, older barrels and sometimes partially in tanks (50% in this vintage), but always blended, to be bottled in April.  2019 Le Clos du Bourg is quite recognizable among the 2 other vineyards as it has the most aromatic nose, going to some fresh tropical hints and more voluptuous flowers, and also shows the most assertive attack and mid-palate. This is a no-joke dry version of a sec, with more concentration yet more lift than in the previous vintage (being the only style produced from the vineyard). The palate tastes rounder than Le Haut Lieu, with a hint more RS and alcohol - as the site always gives riper grapes. The finish though has the same dynamic, with a beautiful, ripe acidity, a little bit saltier and more bitter, giving an extra-dimension. You really want to decant this bottle today, or keep it 15 years. Pairing wise, veal sweetbreads served with braised endives would be great: you can play with crispy fat and root vegetables, with some Indian spice! RS: 3,3 g, Acidity: 5,2 g. Chenin.  Pascaline Lepeltier. 

Huet 2019 Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Sec

Le Haut Lieu is the historical, and largest, site of Domaine Huet. A bit more than 9 hectares, slightly higher on the plateau and further from the Loire, the vines are grown on a darker clay with some eolian sands. Some ungrafted Chenin is planted there, and when possible vinified separately - I encourage you to seek them out! All the still wines at Huet are made the same way, the only difference being the picking, and the balance of the must. Aging happens mostly in larger, older barrels and sometimes partially in tanks, but always blended, to be bottled in April. Le Haut Lieu tends to give the earlier drinking, lighter version of the 3 sites. 2019 is a great vintage for the Haut Lieu sec, with a precision, a tension and a concentration remarkable for the sec. Being the only style of wines produced from this vineyard - no demi-sec, no sweet - all the grapes went into it, giving it a real density. The robe is pale, but the nose is already quite open, with a lot of layers dominated by yellow tones: lemon, acacia, yellow kiwi. On the palate, beware, the attack is subtle, almost fragile, but then the finish indicates you are dealing with a very serious wine. The wine tastes dry (there are only 3 g of RS) with a little austerity on the first sip, to gain volume on the second one while keeping its focus, with a rhubarb like acidity. Decant it if you want to enjoy it now, or keep it for 10 years. I can perfectly imagine a Troisgros “saumon à l’oseille” (salmon with a sorrel infused cream sauce) today with this wine! RS: 3g, Acidity: 5g. 100% Chenin. Pascaline Lepeltier. 

Huet 2019 Vouvray Le Mont Demi-Sec

With its green clay and its perfect exposition on the Première Côte de Vouvray just above the winery, Le Mont is an outstanding site for Chenin, and I have to admit often my favorite in the line-up. It has the lift and fruit of the Haut-Lieu, and the gravitas of Le Clos du Bourg, with a very specific wild mint freshness and a smokiness I care very much for: I think the demi-sec version is the paragon of the style! All the still wines at Huet are made the same way, the only difference being the picking, and the balance of the must. Aging happens mostly in larger, older barrels and sometimes partially in tanks (50% in this vintage), but always blended, to be bottled in April.  2019 Le Mont Demi-Sec is for me the wine of the vintage, even if all the lineup is remarkable. But I always think this style for that site is such a rare treat to taste, as you have such a unique balance rarely found anywhere else in the region, and in the world, between acidity-tannins- sugar. It is really the case in this vintage: the nose has the expected reduction from the terroir and the recent bottling, but blows off to reveal notes of plumeria flowers, shiso, persimmon. On the palate, you barely feel the sugar as the balance with the acidity is on point. The palate is more savory, herbal, with this salivating bitterness and smokiness. There is a lot happening in this bottle, so a couple of months laying down would harmonize the structure even more, and of course a decade of cellaring will make it blossom. Pair it with some roasted guinea hen with romanesco, hazelnut and chicken jus, a chickpea tagine with a lot of ras-el-hanout or a coconut shrimp curry. RS; 16,4 g, Acidity: 4, g. Chenin.  Pascaline Lepeltier.

Huet 2022 Vouvray Le Mont Demi-Sec

13.5% alcohol, 21 gr/l RS, 3.9 gr/l total acidity, ph 3.25

Huet 2022 Vouvray Le Mont Sec

13.5% alochol, 5.7 g/l RS, 4.3 gr/l total, ph 3.12

Jousset, Lise et Bertrand 2018 Montlouis-sur-Loire Clos aux Renards - Singulier

The 2018 "Singulier - Clos aux Renards" is a brilliant dry Montlouis and certainly one of the finest dry Chenins of the Loire,  made from 60 to 100 year-old Chenin vines on clay soils called "Aubuis" over Turonian limestone. All cellar functions are by gravity without pumping, fermentation is in two and three year-old 400 and 600 liter barrels.  (The Joussets have banned all mechanization from this beautiful vineyard since 2015 - only people, horses and wheelbarrows allowed!)  Best if decanted two hours in advance, the 2018 is a bit tight and young, showing complex mineral infused aromas of citrus, pear, lime-flower and honey. The palate is generous and mineral with white fruits, racy citrus flavors and fresh herbs framed in saline acids. Serve this crystalline Montlouis with shellfish, scallops, foie gras, chicken with cream sauce and aged cheeses. Please decant or wait 3 to 5 years before drinking.

Jousset, Lise et Bertrand 2019 Montlouis-sur-Loire 1er RV "Version Longue"

The 2019 Jousset 1er Rendez-Vous "Version Longue"is from 5 to 100 year-old vines from 8 parcels in Montlouis with clay and silex soils over limestone. The grapes are hand-harvested into small containers, all cellar functions are by gravity, fermentations are with wild yeasts, aging is 10 months in large used barrels  then an additional 24 months in vat. The wine shows very elegant aromas of dried pear, quince, fine herbs, beeswax, honey, stone and lemon zest, really lovely. The palate is dense and rich - a beautiful melange of white fruits, mineral flavors, citrus and honey. The finish is supple, dense and long with sapid white fruits, honeyed citrus and stone flavors that linger on the palate, Beautiful wine, only a few cases available.

Jousset, Lise et Bertrand 2020 Vin de France Exile Blanc

Typically made from organic grapes that Lise and Bertrand source from the Loire Valley, this vintage of the Exilé blanc is the result of a literal backpacking/grape harvesting mission that Bertrand went on in 2016, when the vines in the Loire were hit hard by frost and hail in the summer. The Colombard they found on that trip continues to please in the 2020 version, combined with Chenin Blanc from their vineyards in Touraine. There's a density and marked minerality that the Chenin blanc provides, with mid-palate weight and roundness of the Colombard. It's crisp at first, then becomes rounder, with notes of white and yellow fruits and citrus. A unique and delicious wine!

Jousset, Lise et Bertrand 2021 Montlouis-sur-Loire Bubulle Pet Nat

 Simply put, the Jousset's 2021 "Bubulle" 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 rich and elegant, youthful and fresh, 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!

Lambert, Patrick 2018 Chinon L'Ame d'Antan

This beautiful Chinon is from 70 year-old vines in  clay soils over limestone in Sonnay, near Cravant. The wine ages for 18 months in old barrels, less than 200 cases are made. 2018 is a great vintage for Ame D'Antan, which shows a deep black/garnet color with elegant aromas of ripe blackberry and strawberry with hints of violet, prune, citrus and crushed stone. The palate is dense but bright, with a silky texture, showing pure blackberry fruit with earth and licorice with firm mineral acidity. Good length with lingering berry and mineral flavors. Delicious now, it will age beautifully, probably best 2025 to 2035+. Highly recommended. DL

Lambert, Patrick 2018 Chinon Vieilles Vignes

The delicious Chinon Vieilles Vignes of Patrick Lambert is from 55 - 60 year-old vines on sandy clay soils over limestone. Hand harvested and fermented with wild yeasts, as are all of Lambert's wines, the Vieilles Vignes gets 12 months of aging in old barrels. The wine shows a deep red/black color and ripe blackberry and strawberry aromas with pepper, earth and citrus. The palate is deep and ripe in 2018, showing earthy blackberry and strawberry compote with prune and bitter chocolate and firm structure. This is a complex, old-fashioned Chinon that will accompany roast chicken and anything off the grill, served a bit cool. Age for five to ten years for a mature experience. David Lillie

Lambert, Patrick 2021 Chinon Les Deuzelles

The wines of Patrick Lambert have been a staple in our shop for some time now. His wines are classic, expressive, and made exclusively from his organically farmed estate. The 'Deuzelles' is selected from his 25-30  year old  vines planted on gravel, clay with limestone and silex, and sandy soils. The juice is fermented in concrete vats for 15-18 days, then aged in old barriques for 3 to 6 months. This is one of the best values I can find for excellent Cabernet Franc. This bottling is denser and more concentrated than the 'Gourmandises' but just as pleasurable and easy-drinking. The nose has notes of blackberry and raspberry bramble, freshly turned soil, and savory herbs, and the on the palate the wine is juicy with supple tannins. This was lovely when I tasted it on day one, and even better on day two, so if you have the time, give this some air before you enjoy!

Landron, Jo 2017 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Le Fief du Breil

(Arrives 7/13) Jo Landron's Fief du Breil is from a beautiful walled vineyard sloping towards the Sèvre, with clay, sand and quartz stones over a bedrock of orthogneiss. The vines average 40 to 50 years of age, the vineyard is certified organic and biodynamic and gives very low yields. In the dense and well-strctured 2017 vintage the wine was aged 30 months sur-lie. This beautiful Muscadet needs aeration or decanting, then shows aromas of grapefruit skin, pear, lime-flower, candied citrus and almond. The palate is perfectly balanced and intensely mineral - showing ripe white fruits, almond, anise and stone flavors with firm acidity and pronounced flavors of stone and saline mineral. This is a bit more forward than the granite and gabbro-based based wines - really superb as a young wine served with shellfish, grilled fish and white meats. As usual with great Muscadet it will age beautifully and pair with monkfish, lobster and aged goat cheeses. 2017 is a great vintage for this superb Muscadet - don't miss it!  David Lillie

Les Capriades 2020 Vin de France Pynoz Rosé

The artistry of Pascal Potaire and Moses Gadouche produces this perfectly balanced Pet'Nat Rosé that spends 24 months sur lie before bottling. A blend of Pinot Noir and Pineau D'Aunis.

Les Capriades 2022 VdF Méthode Ancestrale Pet'Sec

A delicious, mineral-driven Pet-Nat from Pascal Potaire, "Les Capriades" is all Chardonnay in the '22 vintage. Touraine's limestone soils are on full display in this bottling. Aromas of crushed seashells and lemon zest will have you craving oysters on cue. The body is crackling with vibrant, tart acidity and a crunchy mineral texture that ushers the citrus notes over to a beautiful sweet note that rounds everything into a powerful finish. A wonderful wine that we highly recommend.

Les Sablonnettes 2022 VDF Le P'tit Blanc

Le P’tit Blanc comes from biodynamically farmed Chenin Blanc vines grown on schist soils in the Coteaux du Layon AOC. The grapes are hand harvested, then the wine undergoes natural fermentation in stainless steel tanks, with around a week of partial skin contact (not to make an orange wine, but to nourish and feed the yeasts and ensure a wine that finishes dry). The wine shows a slightly cloudy pale gold color and aromas of baked apple and pear, a bit of citrus, white pepper, apricot and green tea. The palate is refreshing with brisk acidity with white fruits, lemon zest, apricot and peach with wet stones, and a lovely burst of spicy citrus in the finish. Chenin Unchained! Really unique and delicious. The 2022 is one of the best vintages in a while, stable over several days, with fantastic minerality from the schist terroir playing with the roundness and weight that is at this point a trademark of the wine. Though dry, the density of the wine gives it great versatility. Try it with curries, Thai, anything with some spice, or even salads with balsamic or other high-acid dishes.  //  From the bottle: "Expression commune et populaire pour désigner "le ballon de blanc" qu'on boit sans chichi ni tralala sur le zinc du bistro. Dynamique et rafraichissant, ce vin fera bon vent avec les possions ou autres accords gourmands." Loosely translated: A common and popular expression for the glass of white that we drink at the bar without fuss or 'tralala (razzle-dazzle).' No added SO2. EL/DL

Les Sablonnettes 2022 VDF Les Copines Aussi

Les Copines Aussi is a blend of Gamay and Chenin Blanc in 2022. It's joyful, fresh, and just a touch wild, showing the lovely ripeness of the 2022 vintage. Pure and delicious, great with a chill.  From the bottle:  "Les lampions brillent à la guinguette et l'accordeon nous rend polissons. A ouvrir entre copains... et copines. Gouleyant et jovial, ce vin vous invitera à partager le plaisir des petits moments et des grands instants" Loosely translated: The lanterns shine at the tavern, and the accordion makes us mischievous, To open with guy friends... and girl friends. Easygoing and jovial, this wine will invite you to share the pleasure of small moments and great moments.

Les Sablonnettes 2022 VDF Zeste (Skin Contact/Orange)

This is a new addition to the Sablonnettes lineup, a skin contact (Blanc de Macération) of Chenin Blanc, with subtle peachy hue, and lovely stone fruit on the palate. From the bottle: "Plus aromatique et plus tannique que son p'tit frère (le p'tit blanc), le zeste qui sauve le vigneron!"  Loosely translated: More aromatic and tannic then its little brother (P'tit Blanc), the zest (alternatively, spark) which saves the winemaker! This would be great with marinated and grilled veggies, cheeses, and fish dishes.   -EL (And there's a play on words here borrowed frm the Pierre and Catherine Breton poster of "Epaulé - Jeté, le geste qui sauve les vignerons")

Les Sablonnettes 2022 Vin de France Menard le Rouge

From the label: "Millefeuille de cepages rouges de chez nous. Auguste Ménard, premier vigneron de la famille était surnommé 'Ménard Le Rouge' pour son côté révolutionnaire et sa moustache rousse" Roughly translated: A millefeuille (layered pastry) of grapes from our home. Auguste Ménard, the first winemaker of the family, was nicknamed "Ménard the Red" for his revolutionary side, and his red mustache. This is a delicious and unique red that involves grapes being layered in a vat. 2022 was whole cluster Cabernet Sauvignon, Groslot, Cabernet Franc and Gamay. However it was done, the results are delicious!  Drink with a chill!  -EL

Luneau-Papin 2020 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Excelsior

Made only in exceptional vintages, the Luneau-Papin "Excelsior - Clos des Noelles" is one of my favorite Muscadets, usually a bit rounder than the granite-soil "L D'Or" but always aromatically complex and with great intensity and length.   The massale-selection vines were planted in 1936 on a terroir of "micaschistes a deux micas," (lieu-dit "La Plecisiere") exposed full south. The grapes are hand-harvested and undergo a slow wild yeast fermentation with 20 months of aging on the lees. The 2020 shows subtle, complex aromas of citrus, lime-flower, melon, pear, mint, almond and stone.  The palate is silky, crystalline and dense, a bit softer than the 2018, with white fruits, almond, smoke and wet stone with excellent length of pear, minerals and firm acidity.  Please decant if drinking now, serve with any elegant seafood dish. Cellar five to fifteen years and serve with richer fish dishes, white meats, rabbit. Beautiful wine!

Luneau-Papin 2020 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Terre de Pierre

This fascinating wine is from a parcel of 50 year-old vines on La Butte de la Roche,  a dramatic dome of igneous rock with quartz stones and serpentine minerals overlooking the marshes of Goulaine. Pierre-Marie Luneau is in charge here and is doing great organic /biodynamic vineyard work, reclaiming this wonderful site with vines planted in 1974. The serpentine rock creates a very poor soil, giving wines that are normally somewhat austere and marked by intense minerality.  The 2020 "Terre de Pierre" is bright and crystalline with citrus aromas and hints of stone and dried herbs. The palate is elegant and crisp with firm saline acidity, with pear, almond and citrus flavors, and the terroir kicks in nicely with intense mineral notes and firm acidity that tingles the palate. The finish is long and scintillating with subtle white fruits and minerals. Serve this lovely Muscadet now with shellfish, cod and sole, seared scallops, or cellar for 10 to 15 years.  David Lillie

Lunotte (Christophe Foucher) 2019 Vin de France Les Rossignoux 3

The 2019 Roussignoux 3 is the third release of Sauvignon Blanc from the 2019 vintage. After aging in barrel for over a year, Christophe moved this wine into fiberglass tank, where it rested for an additional 2 years. Some flor clearly developed at a certain point during the aging, giving the wine a fascinating oxidative profile. This wine is mind-bogglingly bizarre, a trip to drink, and generally very hard to compare to anything else in the wine world. There is a dense mineral core, notes of butterscotch and orchard fruits, herbs, and stones. Totally dry, with plenty of acid to help it wear the 14.5% alc. without any sense of heat or power. We do think it's qualitatively delicious, beguiling, and a wine that keeps bringing us back for another sip.

Lunotte (Christophe Foucher) 2020 Vin de France Les Rossignoux 2

The Rossignoux2 is the second release of Sauvignon Blanc from the 2020 vintage. This one was aged a bit longer than the Roussignoux"1" but is still similarly fresh, with subtle tropical fruit on the nose, and delicate acidity. The extra time on the lees in Christophe's hobbit cave has given more density to the wine, and calmed down the sharp, grassy notes of the Sauvignon Blanc. Instead, there is more of a stone fruit profile and less pronounced citrusy aromatics.

Orfeuilles 2019 Vouvray "Les Coudraies"

(Arrives Feb 21) Domaine D'Orfeuilles is known for the high concentration of flint in their clay/limestone soils, which one finds in the parcel of "Les Coudraies." The 2019 is a lovely "sec-tendre" somewhat in the style of the Pinon "Silex" or "Trois Argiles" having a bit of residual sugar to offset the wine's firm acidity. At a very modest 12% abv, the 2019 shows acidity in spades alongside it's hallmark flinty minerality and herbaceous nose rendering the RS as more of a juicy lemonade profile. Absolutely lip smacking and poundable in the best sense: at this price, an excellent party wine! Giselle Hamburg

Orfeuilles 2020 Vouvray "Silex"

(Arrives Feb 21) The 2020 Domaine d'Orfeuilles Vouvray "Silex" was vinified dry, highlighting the intense mineral flavors and chalky texture of Chenin Blanc in clay/limestone soils with a high content of silex. It's a pale straw in the glass with a nose that's delicate at first but hints at some hidden power layered beneath the surface. At 14% abv it's certainly robust and assertive with a sleek minerality coupled with firm acidity that suggests aging potential, while it doesn't feel overly hot. There's balance and texture and it would be great with seafood or lighter chicken dishes and provides phenomenal value at the price point! Jeff DiLorenzo

Orfeuilles NV Touraine Brut Rosé

 The Domaine D'Orfeuilles Touraine Brut Rosé is made primarily from Cot (Malbec) grown in sandy clay soils over limestone. This quite elegant rosé is a refreshing Champagne-method Brut, with a lovely deep rose color and complex flavors of red and black fruits - it's a sensational value!

Pépière 2022 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine s Lie La Pépie

100% Melon de Bourgogne. Classic Muscadet on granite. The core of the "La Pépie" Sur Lie bottling is the 10-hectare heart of the Pépière estate, which is part of the Clisson cru in the tiny commune of Pépière near the winery; there is also a significant percentage of their cru Château Thébaud fruit, as well as some purchased fruit from a nearby organic farmer friend in the mix. Farming is certified-organic and the harvest by hand. The 2022 "La Pépie" shows a very pale gold color and ripe floral aromas of dried pear, quince, fines herbes, grapefruit and stone. The palate is round  and refreshing,  a bit softer than usual, with wet stone, pear, tart citrus, almond and mineral flavors. The finish is long and clean with citrus, a hint of anise and saline minerals. This is a round and refreshing Muscadet, with a bit more weight and density due to the warm, dry conditions in 2022 that will be perfect with oysters, grilled fish, roast chicken, Asian foods and mild goat cheeses. Thanks to Gwénaëlle and Rémi for another delicious "Pépie!"

Pépière 2019 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Gorges Cru Communal

(Arrives 5/23) We're ecstatic to have another vintage of this superb new Muscadet from Pépière. The product of an exchange of juice with Fred Lailler at Domaine Bregeon from a tiny parcel of old vines on Gabbro bedrock with clay rich in quartz. The wine undergoes a slow fermentation and is then aged 36 months on the lees. (Marc Ollivier considers this a favorite of Pepiere's bottlings, along with the Château-Thébaud.) The 2019 Gorges is a complex, dense and beautifully structured wine, with  a bit more brightness and acidity than than the superb 2015.  The Gabbro terroir brings unique aromas showing almond, smoke and petrol notes in addition to stone, pear, quince and mushroom. The palate is dense and intensely mineral with ripe pear and quince, earth, almond, anise and citrus notes, with stone, lemon peel and white fruits lingering in the very long finish. If drinking young please give the wine a lengthy decant to release the unique character of this wine - best to wait at least 5 - 6 years before opening, then enjoy until 2042 and beyond.  David Lillie

Pépière 2019 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Cru Château Thébaud

(Arrives 5/23) The Château Thébaud comes from old vines in vineyards with great terroir on slopes overlooking the river Maine. The granite here (Granite de Château Thébaud, oddly enough) is fissured and permeable by the vine roots which have access to water during dry spells and absorb micro-nutrients along the way.  2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014 here were among the best of the vintage in Muscadet and the 2019 will stand out as well due to the combination of density and minerality with the firm acidity and great ripeness of this very good vintage year for Muscadet. Our tasting in February revealed a superb Muscadet, not marked by the heat of the vintage, showing crystalline white fruit and stone flavors with firm acidity, fantastic purity, density and length. Of course this will offer briliant drinking as a young wine, but try to put some away for ten years at least...

Pépière 2020 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Clisson Cru Communal

(Arrives June 13th) This sensational Cru Communal Clisson spent more than 2 years on the lees before bottling. Rémi Branger on the 2020 vintage "We harvested the 2020s very early, beginning on August 24th, it was a precocious vintage. Maturities advanced quickly but we were able to keep good freshness and some nice bitter notes that were missing a bit in 2018 and 2019." The 2020 Clisson, tasted last month in the Loire, is a great success featuring classic, vibrant aromas of almond, pear, citrus and stone, with a dense very mineral palate with subtle white fruits and a long bright stony finish. This will provide superb early drinking, especially with shellfish and baked cod or sole, but please put some away as 10 to 20 years of cellaring will create something special. David Lillie

Pépière 2021 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Les Gras Moutons

(Arrives 5/23)  Les Gras Moutons is a great parcel on gneiss, in layers that permit a deep penetration by the vines, with sandy clay and amphibolite stones. The vines are at the top of a hill and on the south facing slope overlooking the Maine. (The name, by the way, does not refer to fat sheep, despite their presence on the label, but rather in local dialect, to the hilltop vineyard site.) This terroir produces lovely, classic Muscadet to drink over the next 5 to 8 years."It has a more perfumed and precise style than the granite cuvées (in 2021), although the wafting aromatics of crushed chalk and white peach feel familiar. The palate has a nice tension though, with a polished richness countered by a chalky oyster-shell freshness, with a white-peach purity. It is pervaded by a fine grip, with firm phenolics, and modest acidity."(winedoctor)

Pinon 2018 Vouvray Les Trois Argiles

(Arrives 8/22) Another outstanding Vouvray from our friends François and Julien Pinon in Vallée de Cousse, the 2018 "Trois Argiles" shows subtle, complex aromas of lemon, pear, earth, lime-flower, wet stone and almond. There is a hint of sweetness on the palate, perfectly balanced with firm acidity, with mineral flavors, white fruits, lemon peel and herbal notes. The finish is very long with citrusy acids and saline minerals. This is a beautiful young Vouvray that is delicious now with fish or chicken in sauce, Asian cuisnes, vegetable patés, asparagus and mild cheeses. This will gain complexity and become dryer with age, drink at least until 2050. 22 gr/liter RS., 4.1 g/L total acid.  David Lillie

Pinon 2020 Vouvray Buvez du Bon Pinon

(Arrives 8/22) From the estate's website: "This is the renaissance of a cuvée created by my great-grandfather - a dry wine from our oldest parcel, planted in 1945 on soils of silex noir and vinfied in our oldest foudres - old 'tonneaux' from Porto purchased by my grandfather. We're using the label from the 1950s as well as the name of the cuvée - the famous 'Buvéz du Bon Pinon.' The fermentation lasted 2 to 3 months with only wild yeasts, which participate in the effect of 'terroir.' The fermentation was stopped by chilling the juice, followed by a soutirage, the wine then aged for 5 months in the old tonneaux. Aging potential of 15 to 20 years, serve with shellfish, oysters, cold fish, vegetable terrines, choucroute de la mer, rillettes and rillons." 7 grams/liter RS, 13.5% alcohol. This superb and elegant Vouvray is quite a contrast from the more open and expressive 2020 Sec. The "Buvez du Bon Pinon" is all elegance and depth, but quite closed, and just slightly opening on day two. The aromas are deep and creamy with subtle white peach, quince, earth, almond and stone, really needs time... The palate is dense and full with white and yellow fruits blending with earth, almond, anise and mineral notes. The wine is showing density and perfect balance but will need many years to really emerge - like the Huet Le Mont Sec, for example, give it ten years before drinking if possible - or a 12 hour decant if drinking now. Of course it's delicious today but try to wait...  David Lillie

Pinon 2022 Vouvray Les Déronnières

(Arrives 8/22) The grapes for "Les Déronnières" from Julien Pinon (first made in 2014)  used to be included in the Silex Noir, but this wonderful vineyard, the Pinon's best parcel on a hill-top directly above their cellar, much deserves to be bottled on its own.  The very thin topsoil is clay with silex over Turonian limestone, and the beautiful exposure gives ripe fruit that is normally vinified as a demi-sec, but in recent vintages the RS level has been below 10 gr/l making it dry, in Vouvray anyway. The 2022 finished with just 1 gram RS and 4.5 grams acidity, making this bone-dry but dense and beautifully balanced "Deronnieres" showing elegant aromas of lime-flower, dried pear, lemon zest and stones. The palate is very dense and ripe, saline and mineral with round white fruits, citrus and herbal notes with fabulous length. A great dry Vouvray with fantastic minerality which is a versatile "food wine" to enjoy now, but don't forget that this wine will age forever....save some for the next generation!

Pinon 2022 Vouvray Sec

(Arrives 8/22) 100% Chenin Blanc. Pinon chooses vines from more clay-forward parcels for its annual sec bottling. They average 45 years old and have been certified organic since 2007. The bunches are harvested by hand, rigorously sorted and direct-pressed slowly and gently. The juice flows by gravity into underground tanks for a spontaneous native-yeast fermentation that lasts 2-3 months and stops naturally in the cold cellar. The wine is aged on its fine lees for 4-5 months in a range of old oak, from 500-liter demi-muids to 20-hectoliter foudres. The 2022 Sec is indeed very dry with 2 grams/liter RS and  a brisk 4.6 grams acidity, and shows aromas of citrus confit, almond, green tea, stone, anise and white fruits. The palate has vibrant acidity with saline mineral flavors, and good density, with green apple and lemon zest, finishing with firm acidity, citrus, apple and wet stone. Give this young wine some aeration (!) or a few years in the cellar then serve with shellfish and oysters, grilled fish, vegetable terrines, seafood choucroute, rillons and rillettes (you may have to go to Touraine for those..) And try to hide some for 20 years or more as we've tasted 40 to 50 year-old Pinon Sec that was fantastic.

Pinon, François & Julien 2018 Vouvray Brut Non-Dosé (8/22)

(Arrives 8/22) François and Julien Pinon make some of the finest sparkling wines in the Loire Valley. The superb Brut Non-Dosé comes from 45 year-old Chenin Blanc vines on Turonien limestone with topsoils of clay with silex, from four parcels; Les Haut de Terne, Les Hauts de Mortiers, Chopet and Les Planches Favettes. The 2018 was hand-harvested in three passes in order to select the best grapes, with two additional selections - on a "table de tri" and again before the press. Thus the best and ripest grapes are selected, enabling this cuvée with no addition of sugar, as in a Champagne Brut Nature. Aged sur-lies for more than 3 years.  This beautiful wine shows elegant aromas of ripe white and yellow fruits, floral and earthy with almond and bitter lemon. The palate is creamy and dense, round and ripe but with firm underlying acidity, with almond, earth and mineral notes lingering in the long finish. Enjoy it now for its beautiful depth and balance, but peak drinking will be 2032 - 2050. A profound Chamapgne of Chenin! David Lillie

Roches Neuves 2020 Saumur-Champigny Franc de Pied

Roches Neuves 2020 Saumur-Champigny Les Mémoires

Source du Ruault 2019 Saumur Blanc "La Coulée d' Aunis"

The Source du Ruault "Coulée D'Aunis" is from a beautiful south-facing vineyard near the Loire river on Turonian limestone with clay. The 2019 shows a lovely light gold color and aromas of dried pear, lemon zest, anise, lime-flower, almond and stone, very bright and vibrant. There is very firm chalky acidity on the palate, really a scintillating texture with white fruits, citrus, herbal and stone flavors. The finish is long and extremely mineral, almost bitter, with brisk acidity lingering on the palate. Give this a decant or open the night before if drinking now, serve this  bright and vibrant Chenin with shellfish, a full-flavored ceviche, baked cod. Beautiful now, five to ten years of cellaring will be very interesting...

Source du Ruault 2020 Saumur-Champigny Rouge

Jean-Noêl Millon at La Source du Ruault has 13 hectares on turonian limestone in Saumur-Champigny, organic since 2007 and using biodynamic methods. The "regular" Saumur-Champigny is from younger vines on clay and sandy soils over the limestone; the wine is hand harveted, fermented with wild yeasts, aged in stainless steel vat. The wine shows a dense red/black color with aromas of raspberry and cassis liqueur, ripe, quite pure and bright. The palate has a soft velvety attack but there is acidity to balance, with pretty red and black fruits that are ripe and intriguing. Serve this quite cool with roast chicken, grilled pork and lamb, tagines and charcuterie. This is a lovely Saumur-Champigny and an excellent value...

Tessier 2020 Cour-Cheverny La Porte Dorée

La Porte Dorée - the Golden Gate - is without a doubt one of the best expressions of dry Romorantin with Hervé Villemade's Les Acacias. This cuvée comes for 80% from a specific vineyard called "Porte Dorée" : there is more clay, the soil is cooler, the limestone is closer. The oldest vines are 60 years old. Because of the late ripeness of this plot, and its concentration, it is always aged in barrels to tame the powerful acidity and help with the aromatic development.  The 2020 "Porte Dorée" is superb, powerful and dry, with firm acidity, showing complex aromas of pear, citrus, lime-flower, white pepper, almond. The palate shows ripe pear, quince, citrus, almond and intense mineral flavors that coat the mouth and are very dense and long. This is a very young wine that will benefit from decanting or 3 to 10 years of cellaring. 14.5% alcohol, 1.46 gr/L RS, 17 gr/L SO2.

Tessier 2020 Cour-Cheverny La Porte Dorée (Magnum)

La Porte Dorée - the Golden Gate - is without a doubt one of the best expressions of dry Romorantin with Hervé Villemade's Les Acacias. This cuvée comes for 80% from a specific vineyard called "Porte Dorée" : there is more clay, the soil is cooler, the limestone is closer. The oldest vines are 60 years old. Because of the late ripeness of this plot, and its concentration, it is always aged in barrels to tame the powerful acidity and help with the aromatic development.  The 2020 "Porte Dorée" is powerful and dry, with firm acidity, showing complex aromas of pear, citrus, lime-flower, white pepper, almond. The palate shows ripe pear, quince, citrus, almond and intense mineral flavors that coat the mouth and are very dense and long. This is a very young wine that will benefit from decanting or 3 to 10 years of cellaring. 14.5% alcohol, 1.46 gr/L RS, 17 gr/L SO2.

Tessier 2020 Vin de France Romorantique

100% Romorantin, a maceration of de-stemmed grapes for 3 months in below ground Georgian amphora and 2 months in vat. One bottle max please!

Tessier 2021 Cheverny Rouge Le Point du Jour (arrives 10/6)

 Tessier's 2021 "Le Point du Jour" is a beautiful expression of Cheverny, a blend of  20% Gamay and 80% Pinot Noir from the oldest vines of the estate planted on two types of terroir, clay and sand and sandy clay over limestone.  Hand-harvested, the grapes are vinified in 80% whole-cluster, macerated for 2 weeks or so before being aged in a mix of barrels, demi-muids and foudres. Aging was longer this year, the wine was blended in January and bottled in July, unfiltered with minimal sulfur dioxide. With yields of only 15 hl/ha in the frost-damaged 2021 vintage, the wine is light and low in alcohol (12%) and bone-dry, really bright and pretty, showing tart cherry with wild strawberry and pomegranate, hints of cinnamon and almond, and refreshing acidity. Serve cool, enjoy over the next five years.

Tessier 2021 Cour-Cheverny

The 2021 Tessier Cour-Cheverny is 100% Romorantin from vines grown on sandy clay soils over limestone. The wine goes through the malo and is vinified and aged in vats. This is a beautiful Cour-Cheverny showing the leaner profile of the 2021 vintage, with less ripeness than the 2020, with lower alcohol and a more mineral and bright citrus profile. The wine shows distinctive aromas of pear and citrus fruit, lime-flower, toasted almond and hints of spice, really quite lovely. The palate is scintillating and dry with citrus, pear, herbal, stone and nut flavors, with nice ripeness and density and firm refreshing acidity. The finish is very long, with mineral, citrus and pear flavors that linger on the palate. Perfect as an aperitif or serve with full-flavored fish and chicken dishes, Asian foods, and especially with mild cheeses like Morbier or Raclette, or goat cheeses from the Loire. This will be very interesting with 2 to 4 years of cellaring as well. Lovely wine and a great value! 12.5% alc, 0.54 g/l RS, 37 mg/l total SO2.

Tessier 2021 Cour-Cheverny Les Sables

We're happy to have "les Sables" back in stock, even if it's only a few bottles!  This beautiful, rich but dry Romorantin from Tessier is from 25 to 40 year-old vines on sandy clay soils with silex. The wine ages 10 months in tronconic wooden vats and 5 months in cement and was bottled with minimal SO2. This is a rare and beautiful wine, quite concentrated and incredibly vibrant, with lower alcohol and higher acidity in the very difficult 2021 vintage which gave disastrous yields. The nose is complex, with a lot of pear drops, lime zest, wild flower honey, almond and stone. It is in fact quite aromatic for a Romorantin. On the palate, there is a lot happening, mostly mineral, herbal and citrus flavors and the tangy, acidity has such a backbone. It is really lifted for such a dense wine. Get creative, as this unique wine is a great food pairing for a full-flavered fish or shellfish preparation, or with rabbit and other white meats. We have 6 bottles!? Best to hold for 3 - 5 years. (12.5% alc, 0.54 gr/l RS, 8 mg/l SO2.)

Tessier 2022 Cheverny Blanc

In the western Sologne, Philippe and now his son Simon Tessier are making some of the best example of Cheverny blanc, highly versatile with a lift and an elegance due to the sandy clay soil over limestone.  In 2022 the blend is 70% Sauvignon blanc and rose, 20% Orbois (Menu Pineau), 10% Chardonnay. 2022 was a warm vintage with drought, so this bottling has more texture and glycerol than usual, without loosing its Loire Valley character. Even if the blend is dominated by the Sauvignon, there is no caricatural expression: it is more a variation on grapefruit zest, sage, and white flowers. The flavors on the palate show notes of pear, apple blossom, anis, lemon zest with a nice subtle bitterness. In this vintage, it is definitely more a Fall bottle  than a brisk summery wine, which is perfect! Serve it in a larger glass, let it open for a little bit and serve it with some black sea bass or of course some goat cheese with an arugula salad dressed with halzenut oil. (23 mg/L SO2, 13.5% alc, 1.61 gr/L RS)

Tessier 2022 Cheverny Rosé (Pinot Noir, Gamay)

Philippe and now Simon Tessier are making really delicious wines from their organic vineyards in Sologne. Under the Cheverny AOC, they make white and red, but also rosé : the sandy clay soil as well as the grapes (2/3 Pinot Noir and 1/3 Gamay) are perfectly suited for the style. Of course, don't expect a boring, insipid, pale salmon whitish rosé. There is always some serious depth and length in their wine! With the 2022 as in 2020 and 2019, you have on top more texture and power than usual: the warm summer led to ripe, concentrated berries. - the wine is ripe but bone-dry at 13.5% alc, under .5 gr/L RS. This bottling is more aromatic than usual, with notes of dried rose, pink grapefruit and pomegranate. The attack is creamy and rich, but the wine quickly balances out the alcohol but a really nice bitter edge of pomelo, and the acidity kicks in at the end. It is the type of rosé that can pair really with pretty much anything, and that will have the texture you want when the days will start to be chilly. Serve it in a white wine glass and pair it with what you be pleased to cook, be it some fried squids with spicy aioli, a chana masala or any kind of cheese. (16 gr/L total SO2 - what a pleasure to enjoy a pure and delicious rosé with almost no sulfur!)

Tessier 2022 Cheverny Rouge

The delicious 2022 Tessier Chevery Rouge is from 15 to 40 year-old vines of 70% Pinot Noir, 25% Gamay and 5% Cot grown in sandy clay soils. Wild yeasts, of course, and aging in old barrels with minimal or zero SO2 added, bottled unfiltered. A bit more Pinot Noir than usual in 2022. The yields were surprisingly good in 2022, but the fruit achieved perfect ripeness in this excellent vintage for Loire reds, showing deep cherry and raspberry with plum, rose, citrus and brown spice. The palate is round, velvety, ripe and vibrantly refreshing with chalky spiced berry fruits, plum skin and mineral flavors, ending with sappy red fruits and bright acidity. Serve quite  cool with charcuterie, chicken and pork dishes and a wide variety of cheeses.  Just delicious! (20 mg/L total SO2, 12.69% alc.)

Tessier 2022 Vin de France TOC (Cot) (Arives 10/6)

Toc is a pun for Côt, one of the single-variety cuvées made by Simon and Philippe Tessier in their organic estate of Sologne. Côt, or Malbec, is one of the grapes authorised in the Cheverny AOC but as the appellation has to be a blend, the wine is declassified in Vin de France - one of the meanings of Toc in French is "fake stuff."  Vinified like all the other reds in semi-carbonic maceration for 15 days or so, then aged in 500 liter barrique for 8 months, this bottling has a juicy, plush texture balancing really well the natural high acid spine of the variety. Dark purple - the usual colour of Malbec - the 2022 has a lovely bouquet of violet, blueberry,  blackberry liqueur and dried thyme. On the palate, the attack is round and easy, with blackberry and cherry fruit, then the vibrant acidity appears, and plays with the gentle tannins, finishing with terrific length of ripe, chalky fruit. Despite this ripeness it is not heavy at all, but quite refreshing and lively so serve quite cool.  Delicious wine and highly recommended.

Tue-Boeuf 2022 Touraine Le Buisson Pouilleux

Thierry and Jean-Marie Puzelat make this outstanding Sauvignon Blanc from a one hectare parcel in Pouillé, with sand and gravel over limestone, giving very low yields. An intense and beautiful wine in 2022, with aromas of lemon peel, pear, dried herbs, lime flower and pine resin. The palate is dense and ripe with dried white fruits, lemon oil and earth backed by firm acidity. Beautifully structured and very long, this is an outstanding and unusual Sauvignon Blanc to serve with fish or chicken in sauce and full-flavored goat cheeses. Delicious now, the wine should be very interesting with 5 to 10 years of cellaring. Highly recommended. (The name literally translated is "squalid bush" but we hope it refers rather to the limestone of Pouillé...?)

Tue-Boeuf 2022 Touraine Le P'tit Buisson

100% Sauvignon Blanc. Tue Boeuf has been sourcing from this site known as Petit Buisson on the north bank of the Cher since 2003. It is an organically farmed, hand-harvested, 1.4-hectare parcel of 35-40-year-old vines on flinty clay-limestone soils. Typical of Tue Boeuf whites, Petit Buisson fruit is whole-cluster-pressed and allowed to ferment spontaneously with native yeasts and without sulfur in large oak tanks. The wine ages for around 6 months in used Burgundy barrels, without racking and with occasional stirring of the lees; it is bottled without fining or filtration.  The 2022 is a lovely Sauvignon Blanc with vibrant pear and melon fruit, very supple and ripe but with firm acidity. Most Sancerres are dulled by excess sulfur-dioxide, but this wine is pure, long and delicious with only a tiny addition of SO2 before bottling. Serve with any full-flavored fish dish, white meats and goat cheeses, lovely wine.

Tue-Boeuf 2022 Vin de France Pineau de la Loire (Chenin)

100% Chenin Blanc. Pineau de la Loire is the local historical name for Chenin Blanc, which is in this case is sourced from AOC Touraine friends who farm their vines organically. Tue Boeuf harvests the fruit by hand, presses it in whole clusters and ferments it with natural yeasts in large wood tanks. The wine is aged in barrel on its lees and bottled unfined and unfiltered with minimal sulfur. Rumor has it that the Puzelat's source the Chenin Blanc for this wine in Vouvray, from old vines, but wherever it's from it's a unique and delicious wine with very bright acidity, vibrant fuit and beautiful minerality.

Vatan 2017 Sancerre Clos la Neore

Vatan, Edmund 2003 Sancerre Clos de la Neore

Vatan, Edmund 2006 Sancerre Clos de la Neore

Airy and concentrated at the same time with so much richness yet steel-like precision and laser-like acidity. Yes this is a wine that will induce many a metaphor. There is a lime streak smothered in minerality along with piquant and stern acidity to enable long ageing. LF

Villemade, Herve 2022 Cheverny Rouge

(60% Pinot Noir, 40% Gamay grown on sandy clay and flint soils over limestone in Cellettes, Chitenay and Fougères sur Bièvre, AOC Cheverny; 15-day whole cluster fermentation, aged in old barrels) 2022 is another great vintage for this light and lovely Cheverny Rouge from Hervé Villemade, similar to 2018 and 2020 but perhaps a bit brighter, really lovelu!  Slight reduction then very pretty aromas of plum, strawberry and blood orange with rose and white pepper; tart cherry and chalky raspberry/strawberry fruit on the palate, light but sappy and long with earthy citrus and berry fruits in the refreshing finish. This is a delightfully natural thirst-quenching red - serve cool with any chicken or pork dish, charcuterie and mild cheeses. DL