Loire / Jura night

Had the opportunity to bring a couple of wines for friends who didn't have wines from the region, so decided to do a horizontal of 2018 Jura whites for the three wines that I brought (and also because I didn't have time to go down to storage to pick other wines). Was telling them that these areas remain a great value (relatively) as top producers such as the three I brought were all available for around 50 euros still.

• 2017 Tissot (Bénédicte et Stéphane / André et Mireille) Savagnin Arbois

  France, Jura, Arbois

  Nutty and oxidative, almost like a vin jaune. Not a fan of sherry notes in wine so definitely down as an acquired taste in my book.

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• 2020 Nicolas Joly Savennières Les Clos Sacrés (Les Vieux Clos) 86 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières

  Excessively high alcohol (said 14.5% on the label) that gave the impression of a plodding wine, despite having a good intensity of ripe exotic fruits such as pineapple and melon. Thought that the wines from this domaine were a little more restrained after the changing of guard but guess I was wrong. Definitely was well-made in terms of the intention of the winemaker but it was too much for me.

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• 2018 Caveau de Bacchus Melon à Queue Rouge Arbois Cuvée des Docteurs 91 Points

  France, Jura, Arbois

  Similar impressions to my previous note. Classic and restrained in a Burgundy Chardonnay sense. Good entry point for people who didn't have many Juras before, as they voted this to be their favourite.

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• 2018 François Rousset-Martin Côtes du Jura Sous Voile Beaumont La Chaux 91 Points

  France, Jura, Côtes du Jura

  Quite natty and the most aromatic on the nose. Strong hint of barley, round and ripe greenish-yellow fruits. Most oxidative and nutty out of the three. Had a lovely saline finish, liked this a lot more than the previous FRM white that I had.

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• 2018 Tissot (Bénédicte et Stéphane / André et Mireille) Arbois Les Bruyères 92 Points

  France, Jura, Arbois

  On opening this had a little too much alcohol and tropical fruits, but settled to show more restrained yellow citrus fruit. Love Tissot's wines for their balance between power and tension, and this showed beautifully for a warmer vintage. Believe this was voted to be the favourite, marginally ahead of the Aviet.

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• 2015 Niepoort Bairrada Lagar de Baixo Quinta de Baixo 90 Points

  Portugal, Beiras, Bairrada

  Intermission red which was a leftover from a friend - turned out to be my favourite red. Rather tannic most usual Portuguese reds but this had plenty of restrained, pure red fruit. Good freshness but slightly harsh finish. 11.5% alcohol!

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• 2005 Domaine de la Chevalerie Bourgueil Chevalerie 88 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Bourgueil

  Rather inky and extracted, an easy guess to be a Bourgueil Cabernet Franc but everyone thought this was a 2015 or 2018. Remarkably fresh for a wine that is over 15 years old, but this was a product of its time - too much purple fruit. Probably was over-extracted such that the tannins were rough and dusty.

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• 2019 Alphonse Mellot Sancerre Rouge La Moussière 88 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre Rouge

  Wasn't a fan of this. Tasted overripe for a Pinot Noir and was discussing with a friend that perhaps not all Loire makers have had the same experience in adapting to the warmer vintages like their Burgundy counterparts. Dark red cherry fruit, a little too concentrated (not in a good way) for my liking.

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