September 4, 2022 - Decanted. Now 2.4h after decant. Gold color. Very shy aromas of apples, Meyer lemons, herbs, and some minerals. Palate w apples, a hint of Meyer lemon, a bit of wet wool, and nice minerals and hints of nuts and honeysuckle. Excellent acids on medium+ body. Nice balance even if the wine feels somewhat shut down and muted. Nice moderately long finish. Wish I had some more as I think the wine would blossom in another 5 yrs or so.
August 13, 2021 - do not wait, drink now, great wine
July 10, 2021 - great wine, to drink now
June 18, 2021 - Wasn't sure what to expect as I've had a fair number of flawed Chidaine bottles, some younger and some same era if not 2011. This was quite fresh on opening, deeper yellow, but little tertiary flavor. Rather, though somewhat muted nose of mineral, lemon, pear, the palate was balanced and rich, showing same profile as nose plus light honey. Unlike some notes this had ample acidity, and was a delight before dinner, as well as with dinner of grilled halibut, garden snow peas with shallot vinaigrette, corn on the cob. All that said I think it is transition and perhaps that is the reason for somewhat muted nature. Will hold a second bottle for a while and see what happens, keeping fingers crossed it doesn't go south.
November 1, 2020 - Having with Bo ssam, the Eric joon ho recipe and not the crappy dave Chang version.
A little flabby, could use some more zing. Chidaine, really fell off my loire chenin map, don't know if it was the label changes or change in distributor.
Chidaine makes one of the cleanest and sharpest chenins, a little wool, lots of ripe apricots and waxiness.
Have a 2010 left in the cellar to try soon.
September 3, 2015 - Popped and poured. Consistently, one of my favorite Loire whites year in and year out. This wine just didn't have enough acidity for me. Terrific aromas and flavors but not quite enough acidity to lift the palate to another plane. Maybe just the vintage. Still love Chidaine and this bottling. 88pts.
August 24, 2015 - Golden color. Honey, lime, pear, lanolin, a little petrol for aromas and flavors. More pronounced on the nose than the palate. A little flabby and disjointed. Tastes like some artificial acidity was added (citric acid). Medium slightly harsh finish. OK, but barely... Better day 2.
July 3, 2015 - Golden yellow-seems advanced given young age. Initially fairly oxidized aromas and concerning for premox. After >1.5h in decanter, nice aromas of wet wool, taut apples, meyer lemon and a bit of salt, iodine, and herbs. P-Gala apples, minerals, herbs, a bit of sea salt, w more minerals on the midpalate. F-Grapefruit w pith, apples, minerals. Nice long finish. Sooo good.
June 5, 2015 - Seemed to lack the usual acid of other vintages? Good fruit but lacking; zip, concentration and intensity. Disappointed. This is usually a sure thing.
May 11, 2015 - Nice wine. Bone dry. Not as good as prior vintages I have tried. I doubt it gets better, but there is time.