AMAZING Domaine des Ruaults 2021 Les Deux Croix (France)

I'm giving away a big secret this week - 

Saumur Puy Notre Dame is a region to watch if you are a Cabernet Franc fan

Domaine des Ruaults 2021 Les Deux Croix

LOVELY BUBBLE Henkell 2016 Cremant de Loire (France)

A surprising wine, from an unlikely source, until you know the whole story : 

Henkell 2016 Cremant de Loire

PALATE PLEASING Clotilde Legrand 2017 Les Terrages (France)

The new generation is female. Watch the video to find out what I'm talking about : 

Clotilde Legrand 2017 Les Terrages

EYE-OPENING Domaine de la Paleine 2019 Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame (Loire, Fra...

A tiny sub-appellation in the Loire Valley is making outstanding Cabernet Franc

Domaine de la Paleine 2019 Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame

Domaine Saint Landor 2019 L'Oblige (Loire, France)

Franc from Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame is special stuff; 

this was the first I ever tired, and it is memorable : 

Domaine Saint Landor 2019 L'Oblige

 

 

Cabernet Franc 100% - Fruit forward with lots of red berries: strawberry, raspberry, and hints of mocha - silky mouthfeel with an elegant finish.

Romain Moreau 2021 Coteaux D'Ancenis Malvoisie (Loire, France)

Looking today at a "Malvoisie" from the Loire Valley, 

a white with character and personality - 

from a grape that rarely possesses such attributes : 

Romain Moreau 2021 Coteaux D'Ancenis Malvoisie

 

 

Domaine Romain Moreau 2021 Malvoisie

A little on the sweet side, but with a good fruit core: peach and white peach with nice hint of minerality ... the name has been around for over a century, denotes Pinot Gris harvested late and with some sweetness – so this is bang on what it should be.  (****)

MIND-BLOWING: Domaine de Nerleux 2018 Les Loups Noirs (Loire, France)

A brilliant bottle of Cabernet Franc that simply blew my mind

Domaine de Nerleux 2018 Les Loups Noirs

 

... WRITTEN REVIEW ...

Vines planted back in 1997, 70% of the wine spends 18 months in oak, 10% new, the other 30% remains in stainless steel and is then back-blended into the wine to create a fruitier character; the result is a wine of wonderful depth and character: dark berry fruit, nicely spiced with hints of vanilla. The dark fruit comes across as cassis and blackberry – this wine just sings in the mouth.  (**** ½)

Domaine Merceron-(Martin) 2019 Gamay Parcelles (Loire, France)

Gamay in the Loire Valley? It's a thing, and it's a good thing : 

Domaine Merceron (Martin) 2019 Gamay Parcelles

 

>>> WRITTEN REVIEW <<<

Domaine Merceron Martin 2019 Parcelles Rouge
100% Gamay … Lovely red berry fruit, lively acidity, subtle shake of pepper, black and boysenberry finish - 1 week carbonic (any longer and you take away the fruitiness and risk bitterness) - needs 2-3 years to meld and come together.  (****+)

 

Domaine des Galloires 2021 Les Chailloux (Loire, France)

This was an absolute delight of a wine I tasted in the Loire Valley, right at the winery

Domaine des Galloires 2021 Les Chailloux

 

 

Domaine Des Galloires 2021 Les Chailloux
Fresh, lively, good acidity, lemon/lime, bright, hint of melon - stony/salty quality, perfect with oysters.  (****)