quote:

ORIGINAL: ChrisinCowiche

Slye, my Orr wines arrive today. So please wait until I've had a chance to taste and order more Chenin before you do. Thanks!

One of the issues w/ Washington is that this is seen as a rather obscure variety and very few vineyards grow it, I think I read down to less than 20 acres in production. One of vineyards Orr used, Rothrock, ripped out their Chenin block. It had also been source for a Full Pull Block Wines Chenin I sucked down in short order a while ago.

I planted 300 Gewurztraminer vines and have never been happy with the wines I've attempted. I am really tempted to pull them out and replace with Chenin. Or Albarino. Or more Viognier. Or more Roussanne, Or more Syrah. Choices.

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ORIGINAL: Old Doug

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ORIGINAL: Slye

I recently opened Erica Orr's Chenin old vines from 2019 -- really excellent, particularly at the price of $25 (and even less via BerserkerDay this year, which is when I bought it). This is a dry version, which I think I prefer. Went really well with a chicken/butternut squash Mexican style dish -- so yes, I find wines like this go with lots of different foods. Roast chicken I find to be one of the most versatile dishes for lots of foods, including most whites and most if not all reds.

Indeed - that peculiar 'fruit aspect' that many Chenin Blancs have just cries out for squash; really one of the great combinations. Agreed also on the adaptability of roast chicken; I even lean toward malty, not-too-heavy European beers there too.

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ORIGINAL: grafstrb

You (wineismylife) and me both. Quite frankly, this is a constant battle for us and nearly all white wines --- we buy them, and then drink them right away! Must buy more.

Heh - whites don't have a prayer around here either... Daily drinkers, better white wines = the struggle is real. I've managed to keep a couple 2001 Rieussec Sauternes, but at this point there's not another >$35 bottle of white to be found...

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ORIGINAL: ChrisinCowiche

quote:

ORIGINAL: grafstrb

Ah-ha! Seeing as how the Orr three pack also included Merlot and Grenache, there's a good chance I opened the offer and quickly backed-out, as I wouldn't have interest in a random domestic Merlot and Grenache. Have either of you guys tried the Merlot and/or Grenache? You're definitely making the Chenin sound enticing!

I know I have had the Grenache. It was at a tasting 4-5 years ago in Seattle. Ron was there too but he drinks a lot and may not remember. The Merlot, yeah hard to know until it I try it, but I ended up with 8 bottles, so will pop one soon, maybe even today. I'll post and send you the note, grafs.

quote:

ORIGINAL: ChrisinCowiche

quote:

ORIGINAL: grafstrb

Ah-ha! Seeing as how the Orr three pack also included Merlot and Grenache, there's a good chance I opened the offer and quickly backed-out, as I wouldn't have interest in a random domestic Merlot and Grenache. Have either of you guys tried the Merlot and/or Grenache? You're definitely making the Chenin sound enticing!

I know I have had the Grenache. It was at a tasting 4-5 years ago in Seattle. Ron was there too but he drinks a lot and may not remember. The Merlot, yeah hard to know until it I try it, but I ended up with 8 bottles, so will pop one soon, maybe even today. I'll post and send you the note, grafs.

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ORIGINAL: Slye

quote:

ORIGINAL: ChrisinCowiche

quote:

ORIGINAL: grafstrb

Ah-ha! Seeing as how the Orr three pack also included Merlot and Grenache, there's a good chance I opened the offer and quickly backed-out, as I wouldn't have interest in a random domestic Merlot and Grenache. Have either of you guys tried the Merlot and/or Grenache? You're definitely making the Chenin sound enticing!

I know I have had the Grenache. It was at a tasting 4-5 years ago in Seattle. Ron was there too but he drinks a lot and may not remember. The Merlot, yeah hard to know until it I try it, but I ended up with 8 bottles, so will pop one soon, maybe even today. I'll post and send you the note, grafs.

Ahem. Ron drinks a lot!?? :-)

quote:

ORIGINAL: grafstrb

CB, thanks for chiming-in with your 8 Years for Sec tip. Eddie, what amount of time do you typically wait on Huet's secs? I know you said it varies vintage to vintage --- is that variance wide, or somewhat narrow? Do you have a rule of thumb off which you will deviate?

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ORIGINAL: grafstrb

quote:

ORIGINAL: thesternowl

I love Chenin Blanc and its varying styles from around the world but it is the wines of Nicolas Joly that made me fall in love with the grape.

I've long looked at this with wonder, but have never tried one. Is there one, or two, currently available in the market you'd recommend? Why do you like them so much? I've heard they can be extremely variable.

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ORIGINAL: grafstrb

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tricky99

Absolutely! - one of the great, unsung, varieties that that finds itself often in New World blends or some of the most magnificent dessert wines the world has ever seen.
Can't think of much in between to be honest, but prove me wrong please.

I've a single bottle of Moulin Touchais 1964 left, from a dozen, earmarked for my 60th in 3 years time.

That Moulin Touchais!! How's the condition on it? I've not had one of theirs with that much age on it -- how exciting!

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ORIGINAL: Old Doug

quote:

ORIGINAL: grafstrb

Quite frankly, this is a constant battle for us and nearly all white wines --- we buy them, and then drink them right away! Must buy more.

Heh - whites don't have a prayer around here either... Daily drinkers, better white wines = the struggle is real. I

quote:

ORIGINAL: lockestep
Today Sandlands is filling that slot for me. I’m trying to hold out and get 5+ years on some bottles. I think it will be more than worth it, but with small allocations and being pretty tasty now, it is hard to hold off. I do have 1 bottle left of the 15 Lodi and 3 of the 16 Amador, so some have made it.

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ORIGINAL: Tricky99

quote:

ORIGINAL: grafstrb

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tricky99

Absolutely! - one of the great, unsung, varieties that that finds itself often in New World blends or some of the most magnificent dessert wines the world has ever seen.
Can't think of much in between to be honest, but prove me wrong please.

I've a single bottle of Moulin Touchais 1964 left, from a dozen, earmarked for my 60th in 3 years time.

That Moulin Touchais!! How's the condition on it? I've not had one of theirs with that much age on it -- how exciting!

It’s in perfect shape - mid to high neck, clear as a bell but should be it’s in an ancient 50F cellar with 70% humidity. Of the case I remember only one or two bottles that were less than perfect yet still wonderful in the inimitable style of great, sweet, Chenin from the Loire. Interestingly, the ones that were slightly oxidised had poorer ullages and a noticeable darker hue even visible through the green glass.

There’s a side note to this purchase of ‘64s many years ago which, when I think about now, still gives me goosebumps...

I discovered the unimaginable delights of Moulin Touchais when I stumbled across a case of the ‘47 in my new, local, wine merchant’s store - wait for it - he had it as a bin end, yes you heard me right, a BIN END! The price was subsequently ridiculously, absurdly, cheap. Even back then it was only about £14.00 a bottle. Well you can imagine, I didn’t even hesitate and bought it on sight - a 40 year old, magnificent dessert wine, in OWC for next to nothing! But this wasn’t the end of my good fortune with this nearby wine merchant: a couple of years later I stopped by, was obviously some sixth sense going on, and when looking about in his various stashes of cases discovered a case of ‘49 Moulin Touchais - simply couldn’t believe my luck! However, he’d cottoned on now and the price had doubled but even at this level I wasn’t about to argue and snapped that up too.

Only thing I can think is he really only dabbled in wine for fun and bought old stock at exceptionally low prices to pass onto those of us that jumped with joy on discovery. I do remember remaining very calm and as cool as a cucumber when finding both of these extraordinary cases amongst others. To this day, I still don’t think he really knew just what he had. Happy days.

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ORIGINAL: CranBurgundy

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ORIGINAL: Old Doug

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ORIGINAL: grafstrb

Quite frankly, this is a constant battle for us and nearly all white wines --- we buy them, and then drink them right away! Must buy more.

Heh - whites don't have a prayer around here either... Daily drinkers, better white wines = the struggle is real. I

Your answer is in your own post! Dry Rieslings drink well early (as well as most Chablis IMO), but Chenin takes some time to evolve and improve, so buy twice as much. Half to drink now, half to cellar. This is our plan with Riesling and it's worked well.

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ORIGINAL: Anybody

Truly a noble and great variety. How many other grapes have the flexibility to produce wines that are dry, off-dry and sweet; still and sparkling? I think too many of the French offerings are consumed too young to reveal their incredible potential for complexity. The flavor profile can be a dizzying cornucopia of fruits, flowers and minerals - which is why some can be some fetching in their youth.

I prefer them more on the austere side, so the northernmost villages of the Loire appeal most to me.

quote:

ORIGINAL: grafstrb
I've long looked at this with wonder, but have never tried one. Is there one, or two, currently available in the market you'd recommend? Why do you like them so much? I've heard they can be extremely variable.

quote:

ORIGINAL: grafstrb

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tricky99

quote:

ORIGINAL: grafstrb

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tricky99

Absolutely! - one of the great, unsung, varieties that that finds itself often in New World blends or some of the most magnificent dessert wines the world has ever seen.
Can't think of much in between to be honest, but prove me wrong please.

I've a single bottle of Moulin Touchais 1964 left, from a dozen, earmarked for my 60th in 3 years time.

That Moulin Touchais!! How's the condition on it? I've not had one of theirs with that much age on it -- how exciting!

It’s in perfect shape - mid to high neck, clear as a bell but should be it’s in an ancient 50F cellar with 70% humidity. Of the case I remember only one or two bottles that were less than perfect yet still wonderful in the inimitable style of great, sweet, Chenin from the Loire. Interestingly, the ones that were slightly oxidised had poorer ullages and a noticeable darker hue even visible through the green glass.

There’s a side note to this purchase of ‘64s many years ago which, when I think about now, still gives me goosebumps...

I discovered the unimaginable delights of Moulin Touchais when I stumbled across a case of the ‘47 in my new, local, wine merchant’s store - wait for it - he had it as a bin end, yes you heard me right, a BIN END! The price was subsequently ridiculously, absurdly, cheap. Even back then it was only about £14.00 a bottle. Well you can imagine, I didn’t even hesitate and bought it on sight - a 40 year old, magnificent dessert wine, in OWC for next to nothing! But this wasn’t the end of my good fortune with this nearby wine merchant: a couple of years later I stopped by, was obviously some sixth sense going on, and when looking about in his various stashes of cases discovered a case of ‘49 Moulin Touchais - simply couldn’t believe my luck! However, he’d cottoned on now and the price had doubled but even at this level I wasn’t about to argue and snapped that up too.

Only thing I can think is he really only dabbled in wine for fun and bought old stock at exceptionally low prices to pass onto those of us that jumped with joy on discovery. I do remember remaining very calm and as cool as a cucumber when finding both of these extraordinary cases amongst others. To this day, I still don’t think he really knew just what he had. Happy days.

Daaaaaang! That's lottery ticket material!

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ORIGINAL: thesternowl

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ORIGINAL: grafstrb
I've long looked at this with wonder, but have never tried one. Is there one, or two, currently available in the market you'd recommend? Why do you like them so much? I've heard they can be extremely variable.

Clos de la Coulée de Serrant is his most famous wine and it hails from arguably one of the greatest vineyards planted to white grapes in the world. At the very least, the wines are memorable and at their very best, they are positively life-affirming. That being said, I think "Clos de la Bergerie" is outstanding in its own right for about 2/3 the price. Joly is the OG in biodynamics so there is bound to be come variation but I've had far more successes than failures with his wines. Some think he's bat $#!t crazy. I prefer to think of him as a genius.

I'm not sure about availability in the LA area but I know that Eric (recotte) was able to pick up a bottle in the last year...not sure from where.

quote:

ORIGINAL: KPB

I love them, but only the ones that are dry but with a rich mouthfeel. Not wild about sweet styles or what I will call underripe or underweight ones... still, Chenin Blanc is one of my mainstay whites.

quote:

ORIGINAL: grafstrb

2015 Domaine du Collier Saumur Blanc - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (1/3/2021)
-- popped and poured --
-- tasted non-blind over 2 to 3 hours --

NOSE: fresh lily; honey; candle wax; strong honey note; medium-light apple aspect.

BODY: medium golden yellow color; medium bodied.

TASTE: medium+ to high acidity; tastes a lot like Arcadian's Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay (and, in fact, that is *exactly* what Ashley guessed when I gave this to her blind) -- it is a bit less rich, perhaps, than the Arcadian Chard; quite ripe; kiss of oak (a pretty big kiss, really); hint of hay on the finish; a bit creamy/lactic; 13% alc. is well-hidden. This was more ponderous than I was expecting, given the vintage and the producer's reputation. Very nice, but I'm on the fence about it being worth the money.

50, 5, 12, 16, 8 = (91 pts.)