2010 Loire Whites From Anjou and Touraine; Huet, Chidaine, Belliviere, Puzelat and More!

3/11/12 -

I must admit to being somewhat underwhelmed by the 2010 Loire whites upon first tasting them in January and February of 2011, as some of the wines from the central and eastern Loire seemed a little austere, especially after the ripe and powerful 2009s. In Muscadet, however, it was obvious that 2010 would be a terrific vintage - perfectly balanced and showing fabulous acid/mineral character from both the granite and gneiss or schist based terroirs. (A ridiculously large Muscadet offering is coming soon) Happily, our tastings this winter revealed lovely whites from Anjou, Touraine and points east that were aromatically subtle and complex, with very expressive palates and the requisite acidity and structure for good aging. Perhaps not as brilliant as 1996 or 2002, but in the same general style and with more acidity and grip than the excellent 2005s. Particularly successful, of course, were the two giants of Vouvray and Montlouis, Domaine Huet and Francois Chidaine, and the Jasnieres and Coteaux du Loir from Belliviere were also superb. Francois Pinon made great Vouvrays in 2010, as well as 2009, and other superb Chenins came from Closel, Leroy, Morgat and Mosse. And we have to include a few wines from the lovely Loir-et-Cher, the whites from Puzelat/Bonhomme and Tue-Boeuf, especially the blends with Menu Pineau, and the artisanal Menu Pineau and Sauvignon from La Lunotte. Please take a moment to peruse this offering of currently available 2010s, and a few late-released 2009s - many of the wines are in very short supply and they belong in your cellar, or on your table this summer! (All wines discount 10% on a 12-bottle purchase. Quoted notes are from John Gilman's excellent review "The View From the Vineyard")