Tasting notes: Wines of Loire Valley, May 19, 2018

Domaine Pelle Menetou-Salon ‘Morogues’ 2017

Regular Price $27.99

Sale price $21.99

A blend of 7 parcels from the highest slopes of the appellation. This location (cool yet sunny climate) and this soil (Kimmeridgian marl) give this wine a subtle, pure nose with aromas of white flowers and citrus fruits. The taste is racy and bright with a citrus fruit taste followed by a saline and mineral finish. Nothing overly exuberant: just clarity and precision.

L’Epicourchois Cheverny 2015

Regular Price $22.99

Sale price $17.99

This wine, of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Menu Pineau from 50+ year old wines explodes several wine misconceptions in the first sip; first, that whites are not ageworthy and then, that whites are ‘thin’. Stow your wine bias, close your eyes, and taste this wine…what color is it? And why does it even matter?

Domaine du Petit Clocher Anjou 2016

Regular Price $19.99

Sale price $15.99

A round and fleshy white, made from Chenin Blanc (or Pinot de la Loire), more complex, this Anjou is aged in barrel. It’s concentrated, rich and full in the mouth, but remarkably fresh and nimble, courtesy of lasting lemony acidity.

Lauverjat Sancerre Rosé 2017

Regular price: $24.99

Sale Price: $19.99

This beautiful rosé of Pinot Noir is all about freshness and ease. Its a wine for a picnic or an afternoon snack; it’s a marvel as an aperitif and perfect with double and triple creme cheese. It will enliven the conversation with dessert and could be the best ever nightcap. The challenge is not when to drink this wine, its when not to.

Frédéric Mabileau St. Nicolas de Bourgueil ‘Les Rouillères’ 2014

Regular Price $22.99

Sale price $17.99

Cabernet Franc is harder to love than its offspring, Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s much more complex and reserved, multidimensional, herbal and even vegetal. While its lacks the big, sweet, fruity, punch in the mouth of Cab Sauv, its taut acidity and olive freshness makes Cab Franc much better suited to food. And while Cab Sauv from everywhere always tastes the same, Cab Franc changes from sip to sip. So why do people prefer Cab Sauv? Marketing, marketing, marketing.

Le Rocher des Violettes Touraine Côt Vieille Vignes 2014

Regular price: $27.99

Sale Price: $21.99

Côt in Loire is Malbec elsewhere, and unsurprisingly, tastes nothing like Malbec from Argentina or even Bordeaux. From 100+ year old vines, this wine is floral and tastes of violets and blueberry clafoutis. Polished and impeccably smooth, this is a wine that causes people to questions their previous wine judgements.