Loire Valley tasting at Urbana

Urbana Restaurant, Washington, DC
Tasted Monday, July 26, 2010 by ianinvirginia with 656 views

Introduction

Met up with the DC WL crew for an exploration of Loire Valley. A few heavy hitters were brought, and one took home WOTN.

Flight 1 (3 Notes)

Bread, cheese and charcuterie

  • 2008 Edmond Vatan Sancerre Clos la Néore 91 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre

    Sweet nose conjures meringue and citrus, mouth a bit grassier, with some pepper skin and a mineral-laden finish. At a Loire tasting, average score was 91, 3rd out of 10 wines.

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  • 2009 Pascal & Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre Rosé Terre de Maimbray 90 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre

    Pink more than red. Very bright nose of strawberries and roses, nice acidity to support the sweetness, a hint of cinnamon and a tiny bit of sweat keep this from being too juicy. At a Loire tasting, average score was 88.75, 7th out of 10 wines, not a bad showing for a rosé at all.

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  • 1990 Prince Poniatowski Vouvray Clos Baudoin 88 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

    Dark golden color, apricot and pear nose, full mouth with a faint waxiness and a tight but short finish. At a Loire tasting, average score was 88.16, 8th out of 10 wines.

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Flight 2 (1 Note)

Seared diver sea scallops, fava beans and yellow curry cream

  • 2006 Didier Dagueneau Silex 91 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Pouilly-Fumé

    Pineapple and white pepper nose, pear and mint in the mouth, lush mouthfeel, and impressively long finish. A tertiary note of chrysanthemum pollen is in there as well (trying to identify that scent was driving me crazy for hours afterward). This was wine of the night at a Loire tasting, average score was 91.9, #1 out of 10 wines.

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Flight 3 (3 Notes)

Charcuterie

  • 2006 Domaine de Pallus Chinon Les Pensées de Pallus 88 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon

    I liked this more than everyone at the table, finding it easygoing and fresh, with some rustic green olive and spice notes and lots of pencil lead, providing a structure driven more by minerality than tannin. At a Loire tasting, average score was 86.33, last among 10 wines.

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  • 2005 Domaine Gouron Chinon Terroir 87 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon

    Pretty straight ahead red, but adds black pepper and currant with a bit of iron and a dry finish. At a Loire tasting, average score was 87.5, 9th out of 10 wines.

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  • 2007 Yannick Amirault Bourgueil Le Grand Clos 88 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Bourgueil

    A tad too sweet and juicy for my liking, with a nearly "blue" Kool-Aid-like tinge to the fruit, although the minerality keeps this from being cloying. At a Loire tasting, average score was 89.8, 6th out of 10 wines.

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Flight 4 (3 Notes)

PEI mussels with white wine, shallots, garlic and herbs

  • 2003 Domaine des Baumard Savennières Trie Spéciale 91 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières

    Buttered toast and pear on the nose, mouth a bit reticent in a weighty but not oily mouth, small hints of tangerine and a slightly sweet waxiness that reminds me of the aroma of a saltwater taffy wrapper. At a Loire tasting, average score was 90, 5th out of 10 wines.

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  • 2004 Nicolas Joly Clos de la Coulée de Serrant 89 Points

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

    The entire table agreed this had aromas like whiskey watered down with some apple juice. In the mouth, tea and faint vanilla, some pear, but quite subdued compared with notes below, I think - maybe this had too much air by the time I tried it. At a Loire tasting, average score was 90.4, 4th out of 10 wines.

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  • 1989 Domaine Bourillon Dorléans Vouvray Moelleux Tris de Nobles Grains 'La Coulée d'Or' 90 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

    Deep golden, very full and velvety mouth, sweet pineapple and peach with a tiny bit of petrol on a shortish finish. Brought to a Loire tasting, average score was 91.25, 2nd out of 10 wines.

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Closing

Fun time with laid-back folks who know how to enjoy a tasting.

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