Michael Pinkus Wine Review - On the Road with the Grape Guy

Loire Valley Day 3 (2 Tastings)

02 Feb 2024

Details: Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy

(April 28, 2023) … Time to look at the Day 3 tastings of my spring Loire Valley journey.

Morning: La Nouvelle Vague des Rosés de la Loire (Masterclass) Loire D3 2a

This was a masterclass looking at the "Full Generational Transition" (from old to young) of the Loire Valley and its wineries. The new generation feels empowered - so they are not beholden to the old ways.

Today 600 producers make Cremant de Loire ... and 90% of Rosés are made from Cabernet Franc.

Rose de Loire makes up 4.9 million bottles, at an average price of 3.40 euros). They have made the move from orange-ish shades to more pink ... and about half leave some trapped CO2 to create better aromas.

Cabernet d'Anjou makes 42 million bottles, and most is consumed domestically.

BETTER
Château de Targé Méthode Ancestrale Rosé 2020
(Saumur Fines Bulles) - 100% Cabernet Franc
Domaine Asseray Crémant de Loire Rosé Domaine Asseray
(Crémant de Loire) - 70% Cabernet Franc - 30% Grolleau Gris

GOOD
Domaine des Trottières Champ d'Oiseaux 2022
(Rosé de Loire) - 55% Grolleau - 30% Gamay - 15% Pinot Noir
Domaine de Mongilet Rosé d'Anjou Domaine de Mongilet 2022
(Rosé d'Anjou) - 100% Gamay
Domaine du Petit Clocher Cabernet d'Anjou Domaine du Petit Clocher 2022
(Cabernet d'Anjou) - 70% Cabernet Franc - 30% Cabernet Sauvignon

Loire D3 6a

________________________________________

AFTERNOON

Theme & Focus: Pineau D’Aunis / Cabernet Franc / Chenin Blanc

Loire D3 10a My take and takeaway: Puy-Notre-Dame continues to be the most impressive sub-appellation ... where 23 winemakers toil on 60 hectares with a potential of 1500. It is a small region that achieved its AOC status in 2009.

GOOD
Cave du Vendômois 2022 Le Carillon de Vendôme Gris (Coteaux-du-Vendômois)
Cave du Vendômois 2022 Montagne Blanche Gris (Coteaux-du-Vendômois)
Château Soucherie 2020 Clos des Perrières (Savennières)
Domaine aux Moines 2020 Domaine aux Moines (Savennières Roches aux Moines)
Domaine de Cézin 2022 Rosé (Coteaux-du-Loir)
Domaine de la Cendrinerie 2022 Rosé (Coteaux-du-Loir)
Domaine de l'Ours Bleu 2021 Rochenard (Saumur Champigny)
Domaine Delobel 2020 B de Oisly Blanc (Touraine Oisly)
Domaine Des Deux Arcs 2021 Savennières (Savennières)
Domaine du Petit Métris 2020 Clos de la Marche (Savennières)
Domaine Patrick Baudouin 2021 Bellevue (Savennières)
Domaine Pré-Baron 2021 L'Elégante Blanc (Touraine Oisly)
Domaine Ratron 2021 Clos des Cordeliers Tradition (Saumur Champigny)

BETTER
Clotilde Legrand 2020 Les Lizières (Saumur Champigny)
Domaine de la Bergerie 2018 Clos le Grand Beaupréeau (Savennières)
Domaine de la Paleine 2020 Saumur Paleine (Saumur Rouge)
Domaine de l'Ours Bleu 2018 Champs Picard (Saumur Rouge)
Domaine de Nerleux 2021 Cuvée des Nerleux (Saumur Champigny)
Domaine des Deux Vallées 2021 Savennières (Savennières)
Domaine des Sables Verts 2021 "Les Poyeux" (Saumur Champigny)
Domaine des Sables Verts 2021 Glouglou (Saumur Champigny)
Domaine des Sanzay 2020 Vieilles Vignes (Saumur Champigny)
Domaine FL 2014 Roche aux Moines (Savennières Roches aux Moines)
Domaine Octavie 2021 Touraine Oisly Blanc (Touraine Oisly)
Domaine Ogereau 2021 Clos le Grand Beaupréau (Savennières)
Domaine Ratron 2018 Clos des Cordeliers Prestige (Saumur Champigny)
Domaine Saint Landor 2020 Domaine (Saumur Rouge)
La Seigneurie 2019 Les Clos de la Seigneurerie (Saumur Champigny)
Loïc Mahé 2019 Equilibre (Savennières)
Moulin de Chauvigné 2021 Clos Brochard (Savennières)
Raphaël Midoir 2021 La Plaine des Cailloux Blanc (Touraine Oisly)

BEST
Clotilde Legrand 2017 Les Terrages (Saumur Champigny) Loire D3 7a
Domaine de la Paleine 2021 Saumur Champigny (Saumur Champigny)
Domaine de la Paleine Saumur Puy Notre Dame (Saumur Puy Notre Dame)
Domaine de Nerleux 2020 Clos des Châtains (Saumur Champigny)
Domaine Jonathan Maunoury 2020 Sarrandières (Saumur Puy Notre Dame)
Domaine Les Ruaults 2021 Les 2 Croix (Saumur Puy Notre Dame)
La Seigneurie 2021 Senonien (Saumur Champigny)

Loire D3 19a

Villamont & Aiguevillle Tasting

31 Jan 2024

Details: Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy

Aig Villa 9a

(July 2023) ... Put together by EuroVintage and held at the National Club in Toronto. It's a two producer tasting, both from France: Burgundy and Rhone Valley.

We kicked things off with a little tasting of wine from Bourgogne; Henri de Villamont – a winery established in 1800 and farms 35 hectares of vines in Beaune.

Henri de Villamont 2021 Bourgogne Chardonnay "Prestige" ($23.95) Aig Villa 2
- Chardonnay -
Nice texture, with some bruised apple, oxidation / reductive notes and a little burnt butter on the finish. Nice length. (*** ½)

Henri de Villamont 2018 Macon-Villages ($28.95)
- Chardonnay -
Fresh and light, with apple blossom, baked pear, mineral and stony component with floral and pretty pleasing finish. (****)

Henri de Villamont 2020 Pouilly-Fuisse "Grumes D'or" ($52.95)
- Chardonnay -
Nice oaky and smoky notes with deep texture, yellow apple, vanilla oak which leads to butterscotch. Gentle acidity, but well balance - rich and playful; 20 / 30% new oak - this is a real beauty. (****+)

Henri de Villamont 2021 Bourgogne Pinot Noir "Prestige" ($23.95)
Pretty and floral, with spice, sour cherry and good acidity. Gentle oak creates a pleasing and easy finish. (*** ½+)

Henri de Villamont 2017 Santenay "Les Champs-Claude" ($42.95)
- Pinot Noir -
Great nose that lures you right in, with notes of blueberry and spice. Floral, crab apple, sour cherry, cranberry and spice lingers on the long finish. This one is bold and powerful. (****+)

Henri de Villamont 2019 Savigny-Les-Beaune "Le Village" ($58.95)
- Pinot Noir -
Sweet cherry and raspberry, proven to be gentle and easy. There is also violet and blue-cranberry; with some gentle white pepper. This one is pretty and delicate; a real stellar Pinot. (**** ½)

____________________________

Second winery today, Chateau Aigueville, which name means "city of water" referring river under the land where the roots touch the river 38 meters below. The winery sits on a 100-hectare plot where lots of intermixed: Grenache and Clairette are spaced out.

Chateau d'Aigueville 2019 Cotes du Rhone Villages
Nice spice and dark fruit; this wine is totally sippable and enjoyable – with balanced of acidity.

Chateau d'Aigueville 2021 Cotes du Rhone
- 60% Grenache / 30% Syrah w/ Carignan-Mourvedre -
Floral nose and full of cherry, this is very fruit forward and delicate with nice minerality - really a fruit driven wine full of flavour and enjoyment. (**** ½)

Chateau d'Aigueville 2020 Massif d'Uchaux Rouge
Dark fruit and smoke, mocha, black cherry - lush and fruity. (****+)

Chateau d'Aigueville 2022 Cotes du Rhone - Blanc
- 40% Clairette / 30% Viognier / Grenache Blanc / Bourboulenc / Roussanne (equal parts) -
Fresh and lively, with hints of apple blossom and spice. Good acidity, nice texture along with grapefruit zest and pith on the mid-palate to the finish. (*** ½+)

Chateau d'Aigueville 2022 La Rosee - Vin de France
- 100% Syrah -
Red wine played with like a rose; fresh, fruity and floral, light and playful, white pepper and gentle spice. Meant to serve chilled "I'd drink the shit out of this" – was heard this afternoon – (I’d agree). Lovely cherry and spice; Beaujolais-esque all the way. (****+)

On the Road with the Grape Guy

Loire Valley Day 3 (2 Tastings)

Villamont & Aiguevillle Tasting

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