October’s Box of Exploration
Loire Valley
Six wines, six sensational producers, one region…explore, experience and enjoy the wines that you’ve perhaps wondered about…or revisit and reconnect with wines that you’re nearly forgotten.
$150.00 (plus MD state alcohol sales tax, of course)
regular price $188.94
Lauverjat Sancerre Rosé ‘Moulin des Vrilles’ 2016
Regular price $22.99
Sancerre is, of course, well-known as a region producing excellent, crisp & citrusy Sauvignon Blanc. Lesser known are the reds and rosé made of Pinot Noir from the same producers. This is a stunning example…bright fresh berry aromas, raspberry and herbal flavors finished with crisp and long minerality. (rosé)
Pierre Luneau-Papin Muscadet Sevre et Maine ‘Excelsior’ 2010
Regular Price $34.99
Muscadet is thought of as the perfect oyster wine…and its true. Made from melon de bourgogne, they are often young, crisp and salty, This wine begins there, and then keeps going and going. Made from 80 year old vines, the wine spends 36 months on lees before bottling and then an additional 24 months months before release. This is an amazing wine that takes Muscadet to a whole different level. (white)
Marc Deschamps Pouilly Fumé ‘Les Vignes de Berge’ 2012
Regular price $22.99
Pouilly Fumé, from Loire, differs from Pouilly-Fuisse, from Burgundy. The former is made of Sauvignon Blanc, the latter is Chardonnay. Pouilly Fumé is most similar to its neighbor to the north, Sancerre, that is, except for this one. This wine shows the citrus focus of Sauvignon Blanc, but more time on it’s lees lends a depth and richness that is the envy of the appellation.(white)
MIchel Autran Vouvray ‘Les Enfers Tranquilles’ 2015
Regular price $24.99
Michel Autran is a young producer whose first vintage was released in 2012 but his wines, from 45 year Chenin Blanc wines, show an assurance that is often lacking in young winemakers. Floral and peach notes upfront, with rich stone fruit and minerality dueling with bright acidity. Well balanced, its bold fruit and crisp, dry finish allows this wine to sing. (white)
Charles Joguet Chinon ‘Les Petites Roches’ 2013
Regular price $22.99
Charles Joguet has been a pioneer in Chinon. Over the course of his career, he took the risks necessary to champion single-vineyard bottling with an artistry that Chinon had never before seen. In so doing, he realized the true potential of the land. A precocious cuvée of Cabernet Franc, “Les Petites Roches” (Little Rocks), is made to be consumed young but is no less enjoyable for that fact. (red)
Thierry Germain Saumur Champigny ‘Franc de Pied’ 2014
Regular price $59.99
Thierry Germain’s domaine, Roches Neuves, whose vineyards are planted in the Saumur (Blanc) and Saumur-Champigny (Rouge) appellations, has earned his reputation as one of the most dynamic producers in Loire. Tiny production is the norm (80 cases of this wine was made), and the wines are unique and distinct. This wine, from ungrafted rootstock, is more like Burgundy than Loire. Forest aromas of leaves and mushroom ask the fruit at first, then the dark berries show in the mouth along with dried flowers. Structured and dense, this is a great wine. (red)