Loire Valley

95 Points! It’s really hard to believe that this is a 2020, such is the youthful energy of this extraordinary wine. I love the intense lemon blossom aroma in the nose. Concentrated, creamy and very elegant, this high-end Savennieres isn’t difficult to understand. Less fundamentally mineral than the very best, but still plenty of wet stone at the long silky finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.- JamesSuckling.com

95 Points! Still youthful with aromas of summer meadows, dried flowers and flint, this sleek and medium-bodied chenin blanc is extremely focused and mineral. At the very long, dry finish the wet stone character is wrapped in a delicate veil of beeswax and honeycomb. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

96 Points! Hold on to your hat! The nose of this extraordinary dry chenin blanc is right on the borderline between summer flowers and floral hone, and it pulls you inexorably into this extremely vibrant and mineral wine. Astonishing concentration for the barely medium-bodied palate, the minerality cascading over you as if you were standing directly beneath an Alpine waterfall. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

From the importer: Originating from vines planted on clay and chalk (tuffeau) soil, this wine offers the distinctive character of Cabernet Franc: deep and bright ruby color, fine aromas of red fruits (red current, cherry) and floral subtleties (violet, iris), fine and velvety tannin, with a fresh and balanced finish. Best served below room temperature (14 to 16º C), Clos des Cordeliers Cuvée Tradition is at its prime when young and is the perfect companion for cold meats, roasted meats, grilled fish and cheese.

A Sancerre of this quality comes from old Sauvignon vines (over 60 years old!) planted on the famous flinted hills of St-Satur, covering the eastern side of the Sancerre appellation.

Crisp, crunchy grapefruit and lime citrus flavors combine with a subtle herbaceous element that adds complexity. White-fleshed and citrus fruit notes lead to a long, mineral and saline finish. A harmonious, fresh cuvée to be savored.

100% Sauvignon Blanc, alcohol: 12.5%; soils: calcareous clay (70% “Terres Blanches (white earth), 30% “Caillottes” (little stones)) with limestone subsoil; vine age: 8 – 43 years; organically oriented, environmentally responsible viticulture; no chemical herbicides or anti-rot products; long, gentle pressing and cold stabilization; fermented 3 weeks in stainless steel, temperature-controlled tanks; aged on fine lees; fined with bentonite and cellulose filtered before bottling in Spring.

Only produced in certain vintages, Derame’s Muscadet Sevre et Maine Vieilles Vignes ‘Les Roches Gaudinieres’ is our latest find in that Muscadet-that-wants-to-be-white-Burgundy category.  As we say, “You can take the Melon out of Burgundy (where this grape originally came from), but in some cases you still find a lot of Burgundy in the Melon.” This striking white comes from Melon de Bourgogne vines planted in gabbro soils (igneous rock with a high calcium content) in 1940.  A little over a decade ago, Morandiere proprietor Alexandre Déramé had the opportunity to purchase this prized 7+ acre parcel from an older grower that was retiring. The rest, as they say, is history. 

An important new source! The fermentation of this classically styled white, Aubépine, takes place in old oak barrels with the total lees from the press—no débourbage (wherein the lees are settled before the wine is racked off them). There are no finings and filtrations, nor additions of sulfites—though, as already mentioned, necessary exceptions can be made. Fermentations can last months or more than a year before dry. Aubépine is a specific site of old vines closer to the Cher than the Loire.