Chicago Wine Geeks do the Loire Valley

Bill's Place - Lakeview, IL
Tasted Sunday, November 12, 2006 by Nanda with 536 views

Introduction

A handful of friends got together at Bill's place to taste through the varietals of the Loire Valley.

Flight 1 - Whites (4 Notes)

For me, the Nicolas Joly was the hands down class of this flight. The group was split on the Joly and Huet for WOTF.

  • 2002 Domaine des Baumard Crémant de Loire Cuvée Millésimée 88 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Crémant de Loire

    Nose of minerals, earth tones and white flowers. On the palate a clean and racy mouthfeel with minerals and white fruit. Medium lengthed finish is a bit austere and nondescript. A lively and simple sparkler.

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  • 1995 Domaine Huet Vouvray Sec Le Mont 87 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

    Gold in color with honey and ripe white fruits on the nose. Lighly viscous with boytris and bees wax on the palate. Elegant fruit and weight but lacking lift and liveliness. Some acid would've taken this flat effort from just good to special.

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  • 2004 Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc Petit 89 Points

    South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

    Pale straw in color with an underspoken, mineral-driven nose. The palate is fresh and exuberant showing loads of minerals and "unrripe" white fruits (a couple thought white peaches). Balanced with good length. For those fond of wines easy on fruit and big on minerals and structure, this is quite nice for the money ($8 about a year ago).

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  • 2000 Nicolas Joly Clos de la Coulée de Serrant 93 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières-Coulée de Serrant

    Gold in color offering a gorgeous and complex nose. Streams of honey, boytris, minerals, white flowers, spice and orange peel. The palate is layered with multiple dimensions. White fruits, honey and earth tones intermingle flowing seamlessly into a long, long finish. Complex and balanced. Very, very nice.

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Flight 2 - Reds (4 Notes)

Overall a bit disappointing for me. Group and my WOTF was the Baudry.

  • 2004 Charles Joguet Chinon Cuvée Terroir 80 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon

    Ruby in color with an awkward nose that at times was pleasant with red fruit and tobacco but utlimately was overridden by a funky medicinal note. Palate is lean and not giving.

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  • 2003 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon Les Grézeaux 90 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon

    Aromatic nose gives dark fruits, tar and tobacco. Medium bodied palate with tobacco leaf, ansie and tar. A strong unerlying acidic edge. Judicious use of oak. A little clunky and slightly clipped, but still very good.

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  • 2002 Paracombe Cabernet Franc 87 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Hills

    Dark ruby in color. A very new world nose of sweet red fruit, menthol, green herbs and baking spices shows promise. The palate has nice weight and follows the nose with sweet, ripe fruits. After a few minutes in the glass this just falls apart into a sweet red fruit baking spice mess. No structure holding the various piece parts together. Too bad as it started like something that might have been up my alley.

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  • 2002 Domaine de la Cotelleraie Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil Le Vau Jaumier 90 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil

    Dark ruby with soft dark fruits and green herbs on the nose. The palate offers abundant ripe dark fruits and tobacco leaf. Well balanced and good length.

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Flight 3 - Dessert (2 Notes)

A superb end to the tasting. Both wines were exceptional and reinforce my personal belief that Chenin is best in a sweeter style. The Cuvee Constance was easily my WOTD.

  • 1989 Domaine des Baumard Coteaux du Layon Clos de Sainte Catherine 93 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Coteaux du Layon

    Rich gold in color with a lovely nose of boytris, honey and smoky minerals. Ripe and luscious on the palate. Great balance between fruit-filled viscosity and bracing acids. Honey, orange and earth notes. Long finish. Very, very nice and in no way showing its 17 years of age.

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  • 1997 Domaine Huet Vouvray Cuvée Constance 95 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

    Rich gold color with musty, honey-laden fruit on the nose. The palate is unbelievably good. Explosive and complex with rich fruit, spice, honey, boytris and minerals. Seamless and long. Terrific richness and weight with superb balance.

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Closing

Thanks to Bill and all for a great time!

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