Specials

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.

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

From the importer: A south-southwest facing parcel located in Clos du Château de Chanzeaux, all from Coteaux du Layon. Thisparcel used to be part of the cuvee for their Cremant d'Loire, but was identified as worth a single-parcel bottling. Vinified dry, so must be classified as Anjou Blanc. The average age of the vines is 50+ years. Ground coverage alternates yearly between grass and herbs every other row for the health of the vines and nutrients. Schist and red clay soils.

All white wines are pressed whole cluster, which helps to protect the grapes from oxygenation and acts as a natural filter. The grapes are macerated for eight hours, after which the must is lightly filtered. Native yeast fermentation for 2.5 months, with malolactic in barrel. Matured in sandstone amphora for 12 months, and then two months in stainless steel before bottling.

Domaine de I’R runs along the picturesque Vienne river in the region of Chinon, the heart of Cabernet Franc country. Founded in 2007 by Frédéric Sigonneau, the young winery quickly climbed the ranks to become a top producer of Cabernet Franc. The popularity of his wines is no surprise, as the estate has raised the bar for what Carnet Franc can offer through its sincere attention to taste and quality. The vineyard is managed as naturally as possible, working in harmony with the natural elements to produce a red wine with exceptional flavor and utmost purity. Throughout the entire winemaking process, there are no compromises, and the wines undergo frequent tastings during vinification. Healthy grapes are fermented in raw cement tanks, the porosity of which allows for a smooth, controlled, and gradual fermentation producing an incredibly rich and flavorful red wine.

92 Points! The 2017 Saumur Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg Coulée de St-Cyr exhibits an intense white-golden color along with a deep, fresh and refined bouquet of lemon juice, iodine and limestone along with ripe domestic and even some tropical fruit aromas intertwined with yeasty notes and a lovely oaky and honeyed spiciness that is very well integrated. Full-bodied, pure and persistently salty on the clear and dry palate, this is a dense, tightly structured, refreshing, mineral and straightforward Chenin with very fine tannins and an iodine finish. A characterful wine that currently still lacks the flesh to soften the structural bones. Tasted in April 2021. - Stephan Reinhardt, robertparker.com