Monday, July 4, 2016

Loire Valley Wines- Spring To Loire 2016 New York City



The Park Restaurant
April 5th, 2016

On a sunny but chilly day back in April, a major Loire Valley wine event was held for the trade and press. I systematically tried to taste just about every wine on the floor, making notes along the way. In general, what I found in this picturesque, atrium-like (see pic above) setting, was a room filled with vibrant, fresh wines, each brimming with character. All wines were well made (with the small exception of some that I felt were "over-produced"); there were some wines that needed more time to show better (as usual), but the potential of most wines showed well. I will list the exceptional wines of that day below, with retail prices  (where mentioned) and small reviews from my notes. Please feel free to reach out for contact information for any of these Importers:

Apollo Fine Wines

2011 Domaine Hervé Seguin AOC Pouilly Fumé (Sauvignon Blanc)
Dry, crisp, with melon notes. Some citrus as well.

2012 Domaine des Béguinneries "Réserve de Satis" AOC Chinon (Cabernet Franc)
Organically grown, spending 12 months in barrel. Great spicy fruit, with good acid balance.


Boutique Wine Collection

2009 Petit Métris "Clos de la Marche" AOC Savennières (Chenin Blanc) ($29.99)
Rich, round, ripe, aromatic wine, with a hint or oxidation and butterscotch.

Bradley Alan Imports

As with most wines he imports from other regions, all of his wines showed well, and were at a reasonable price point* Here are some highlights:

2014 Gitton Père et Fils "Les Crilles" AOC Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc) ($20)
Fresh, crisp fruit, with some minerality- great balance.

2013 Domaine de Loye AOC Menetou-Salon Morogues (Sauvignon Blanc) ($16)
Vibrant, elegant citrus fruit. Well-made; distinctive character.

2014 Domaine de Cézin AOC Jasnières (Chenin Blanc) ($19)
Round mouthfeel; well-balanced, ripe fruit.

2013 Domaine de Cézin AOC Coteaux du Loir (Chenin Blanc) ($15)
Beautiful fruit, with an interesting sour note. Great balance.

NV Domaine des Varinelles- Daheuiller AOC Crémant de Loire (Sparkling Chardonnay) ($16)
Crisp, refreshing, well-balanced with a slight butterscotch note.

2015 Domaine de Cézin AOC Coteaux du Loir (Rosé Pineau d´Aunis) ($12)
Full character ripe, rich fruit. Well made!

2011 Domaine des Varinelles- Vieilles Vignes AOC Saumur Champigny (Cabernet Franc) ($20)
Gamey nose, very dry, but good mouthfeel. Food-friendly wine.

Cape Classics

2012 Clos du Gaimont "La Monaco" AOC Vouvray (Chenin Blanc) ($18-19)
4 Hectares (small) Demi-sec. Candied fruit. Very well-made!

2014 Domaine Vincent Caréme "Spring" AOC Vouvray (Chenin Blanc) ($19)
As the wine above, grown on clay/limestone soils. No new oak used. Fresh acidity with vibrant fruit.

2015 Domaine Paul Buisse AOC Touraine (Sauvignon Blanc) ($14)
Great expression of Sauvignon Blanc- the typical "grassy" component present as well.

2015 Le Roi des Pierres AOC Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc) ($28)
Another impressive expression of Sauvignon Blanc. Again, that classic "grass" component with vibrant fruit and minerality.

2015 Le Roi des Pierres AOC Sancerre (Rosé Pinot Noir) ($28)
25/35 year old vines. Major strawberry component. Great expression!

2014 Domaine Grosbois "La Cuisine de ma Mère" AOC Chinon (Cabernet Franc) ($18-19)
Old World character, with hints of barnyard on the nose. Rustic fruit. Ripe tannins.



Cognac One

2014 Domaine Gilles Chollet AOC Pouilly Fumé (Sauvignon Blanc) ($23.95)
Pure fruit with smoky hints of mineral (chalk).

2015 Domaine de la Tourmaline AOC Muscadet Sèrve et Maine (Melon de Bourgogne)
Crisp, full mouthfeel (Sur Lie for 6 months).

2012 Xavier Flouret Rouge Noir AOC Menetou-Salon (Pinot Noir) ($20.95)
6th generation owners. Spicy, aromatic, "Old School" Pinot Noir. WOW!!!

2013 Domaine du Raifault AOC Chinon (Cabernet Franc)
Aged 10 months in French Oak, very stylish and elegant expression of Cabernet Franc.

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