Tasting notes, May 31, 2025; Loire Valley

                    Loire Valley

2023 Luneau Papin Gros Plant
On Sale for $19.99
Nantais / Loire Valley / France
100% Folle Blanche
Sourced from vines planted in 1974, Luneau Papin fashions this refreshing, surprising complex white from the little known Folle Blanche varietal. The wine is aged in large oak casks on its fine lees.
2022 Neveu La Cote des Monts Damnes
On Sale for $35.99
Sancerre / Loire Valley / France
100% Sauvignon Blanc
About 80% of the vineyards in the Sancerre appellation are planted to white specifically the Sauvignon Blanc varietal. Andre Neveu’s classical reading of the cultivar and the terroir of Chavignol ensure a direct example of Sauvignon Blanc built on a balance of ripe fruit and crushed stone.
2018 PinonTrois Argiles
On Sale for $31.99
Vouvray / Loire Valley / France
100% Chenin Blanc
Sourced from 35-year-old vines planted in limestone rich soils, this off-dry Vouvray is fermented using native yeasts and aged in used oak barrels. The wine spends 5 months on the fine lees prior to bottling.
2024 Lucien Crochet Rosé
On Sale for $31.99
Sancerre / Loire Valley / France
100% Pinot Noir
Less than 20% of the vineyards of Sancerre are dedicated to red grapes, Pinot Noir representing the sole allowable red cultivar in the appellation. Crochet’s Rosé manages to express the minerality of the zone while adding a welcome tinge of cherry fruit.
2019 Lande Classique
On Sale for $21.99
Bourgueil / Loire Valley / France
100% Cabernet Franc
Located northwest of Chinon, Bourgueil is known for sturdy, rustic renditions of the Cabernet Franc varietal. Born from limestone soils, Bourgueil is arguably better suited for aging than Chinon and tends to develop a distinctly earthy character with time in bottle.
2023 Domaine Serol Eclats
On Sale for $19.99
Côte Roannaise / Loire Valley / France
100% Gamay St. Romain
The Côte Roannaise is technically part of the Loire Valley, though the vineyards are located near Beaujolais and the red wines are produced from the Gamay biotype – Gamay St. Romain. Gamay St. Romain is known for its savory qualities and firmer nature than the Gamay Noir found to the east in Beaujolais.