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(Mostly) Chenin Night

Tasted October 27, 2019 by isaacjamesbaker with 118 views

Flight 1 - Italian whites (2 notes)

Orange
2014 Azienda Agricola Serragghia (Gabrio Bini) Zibibbo Bianco Italy, Sicily, Terre Siciliane
88 points
This was a lot of fun. Cloudy, wild and funky on the nose. It got weirder with air. Showed a nice core of acid and orange fruit, with plenty of spicy, cider elements.
White
2014 Cascina Degli Ulivi Filagnotti Italy, Piedmont, Vino da Tavola
91 points
Wow, this was fascinating. Chalky, briny, natty but also fresh, clean, showing candied citrus peels and chalky, white tea, briny, almond notes. Delicious.

Flight 2 - Chenin (6 notes)

White
2016 Mai et Kenji Hodgson Vin de France Les Aussigouins France, Vin de France
91 points
Fascinating and delicious stuff. Zesty but punchy. Round, orange peel, waxy tones, but vibrant acidity. Complex mineral and tea undertones.
White
2014 Jean-Pierre Robinot (L'Opera des Vins) Chenin Blanc L'Iris France, Loire Valley, Coteaux du Loir
91 points
Dynamic, fun, expressive, complex. Chalky and briny and natty, but also just delicious and effortless feel. Big fan.
White
2012 Domaine Huet Vouvray Sec Clos du Bourg France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray
90 points
Wow, lots of bad experience with this wine it seems, but I found this bottle to be lively and pretty. Not as complex or age-worthy as other vintages but it showed well, with no oxidation. Lemon, quince, white tea, honey, deep, richer elements but it's balanced well. Not sure it has the stuffing to age, and this was my only bottle, but happy how it showed for sure.
2 people found this helpful Comment
White
2010 Nicolas Joly Savennières Les Clos Sacrés (Les Vieux Clos) France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières
92 points
This bottle was a bit more subdued than others, but still lots going on. Better on Day 2. Fun to taste with the group, discuss the dynamics, while all being clearly able to critique the weirdness and absurdity of the wine. Yet, at the end of the day, I actually do just straight-up enjoy this wine. It gives me much pleasure. To each their own.
White
2008 Le Rocher des Violettes Montlouis-sur-Loire Touche-Mitaine France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Montlouis-sur-Loire
90 points
A waxier, honeyed wine - nor too oxidized, lively apple and pear fruit with shell, tea, wax. Really good stuff, paired well with the post-dinner cheeses.
White
2010 Le Rocher des Violettes Montlouis-sur-Loire Touche-Mitaine France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Montlouis-sur-Loire
92 points
Wow, after seeing these notes, I guess I scored a great bottle. Stored perfectly since release, and this was so vibrant, much more so than the 2008. Brisk, bright, lime, apples, quince, with a complex, chalky, mineral, crushed shell element. Crystal clear and vibrant and not at all tired or oxidized or anything. Loved this bottle, and it got much more expressive as the night went on.

Flight 3 - Gamay (3 notes)

Red
2012 Yvon Métras Fleurie France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Fleurie
92 points
Nose of red cherries, raspberries, roses, peppery spice. Juicy and fresh with dusty but structured tannins and vibrant acidity. Loved this, and it went quickly, but it deserved more air, as it got exquisite with air.
Red
2009 Domaine des Terres Dorées (Jean-Paul Brun) Beaujolais Cuvée l'Ancien Vieilles Vignes France, Burgundy, Beaujolais
90 points
I was really impressed with this wine. Lots of rich, black cherry, jammy fruit, actually quite rich and juicy, almost dense. If served blind, I would never have guessed this was this old. Lots of fun, super yummy, seems like a good time to drink because it's just yummy fruit, but still has the structure to hold.
Red
2018 Domaine Christian Ducroux Exspectatia France, Vin de France
90 points
This is so damn fun. Fresh, spicy, juicy, peppery, floral - it's crushable but complex, wine nerd-friendly but everyone at a wedding would love this. Case buy, "house wine" for the holidays consideration here for me.
1 person found this helpful Comment
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