Some of the Ambassadors from the 2008 vintageHere are the 24 Ambassadors selected at the two day tasting (7th-8th April) in Paris last week. Many congratulations to those selected.
2007
Domaine Les Grandes Vignes, 2007 Anjou Rouge, L'Aubinaie
Lamé Delisle Boucard, 2007 Bourgueil, Vieilles Vignes
Langlois Château, 2007 Saumur Champigny
Domaine de Nerleux, 2007 Saumur Champigny, Clos des Châtains Vieilles Vignes
Domaine de la Noblaie, 2007 Chinon, Domaine de la Noblaie
Château de Targé, 2007 Saumur Champigny
2008
Famille Amirault Grosbois, 2008 St-Nicolas de Bourgueil, Le Clos
Baudry & Dutour, 2008 Chinon, Domaine du Roncée
Couly Dutheil Père et Fils, 2008 Chinon, Domaine René-Louis Couly
SCEA Charles Joguet, 2008 Chinon, Cuvée Terroir
EARL Domaine Charles Pain, 2008, Chinon, Cuvée Domaine
EARL Domaine Charles Pain, 2008, Chinon, Cuvée Prestige
Domaine de la Chevalerie, 2008 Bourgueil, Bretêche
Domaine Les Grandes Vignes, 2008 Anjou Rouge
Frédéric Mabileau, 2008, St-Nicolas de Bourgueil, Les Rouillères
GAEC Lysiane & Guy Mabileau, 2008 St-Nicolas de Bourgueil, Domaine
GAEC Lysiane & Guy Mabileau, 2008 St-Nicolas de Bourgueil, Vieilles Vignes
Nau Frères, 2008 Bourgueil, Les Blottières
Domaine de la Noblaie, 2008 Chinon
Domaine Les Pins, 2008 Bourgueil, Vieilles Vignes
Clos des Quarterons, 2008, St-Nicolas de Bourgueil, Les Quarterons
Wilfrid Rousse, 2008 Chinon, Les Galuches
EARL Taluau Foltzenlogel, 2008 St Nicolas de Bourgueil, L'Expression
Domaine des Vallettes, 2008, Bourgueil, Vieilles Vignes
In all there were 86 samples (29 were 2007s, 57 were 2008s), so the 24 selected represents a 28% success rate. The tasting was very thorough with almost all of the wines tasted at least twice, a number three times and a few even four or five times. The aim was to give the wines every chance to show their best. The tasting team (Sam Harrop MW, Jane Masters MW, Emily O'Hare and myself) tasted all the wines together.
Initially we divided the wines into three categories – Ambassador quality, possibly Ambassador quality, and not of Amabassador quality.
Next we retasted all the 'possibly Ambassador quality' and either rejected them or moved them up to Ambassador quality. Where we had the slightest doubt or we were split the wine was moved up into Ambassador category.
Finally we retasted all the Ambassador quality wines to make our definitive selection.
Very few of the 2008s were finished wines, which made tasting them particularly interesting but challenging. Among those rejected there were some very good wines, which were currently faulty – reduction, for example. Although it is highly likely that the faults will have been resolved by the time the wines are in bottle, we couldn't take the risk of making them Ambassadors this year. It is highly probable if these 2008s are resubmitted next year that they will become Ambassadors for 2010. Once again this underlines the importance of making sure that samples for tasting are carefully prepared.
After the tasting Sam Harrop MW, the consultant to the project, commented: "I think the results look really good and am looking forward to tasting the wines again at the London International Wine Trade Fair."
Initially we divided the wines into three categories – Ambassador quality, possibly Ambassador quality, and not of Amabassador quality.
Next we retasted all the 'possibly Ambassador quality' and either rejected them or moved them up to Ambassador quality. Where we had the slightest doubt or we were split the wine was moved up into Ambassador category.
Finally we retasted all the Ambassador quality wines to make our definitive selection.
Very few of the 2008s were finished wines, which made tasting them particularly interesting but challenging. Among those rejected there were some very good wines, which were currently faulty – reduction, for example. Although it is highly likely that the faults will have been resolved by the time the wines are in bottle, we couldn't take the risk of making them Ambassadors this year. It is highly probable if these 2008s are resubmitted next year that they will become Ambassadors for 2010. Once again this underlines the importance of making sure that samples for tasting are carefully prepared.
After the tasting Sam Harrop MW, the consultant to the project, commented: "I think the results look really good and am looking forward to tasting the wines again at the London International Wine Trade Fair."
4 comments:
Fascinating stuff Jim. when looking at the two vintages tasted, the 2008:2007 ratio of submitted samples (roughly 2:1) and the ratio of ambassadors (3:1) says something about the difficulties of the 2007 vintage for the red appellations.
Apart from the LIWF, will there be any other opportunity to taste the wines in the UK? Last year Sam showed them at the IMW - any plans to repeat that?
Hi, Jim, since many well-regarded names are absent (e.g., Amirault, Bernard Baudry, Pierre Breton, Clos Rougeard, Filliatreau...), rather than assume that their wines performed less well, is it fair to say that many producers simply do not submit their wines?
Chris. I don't know of any other plans for tasting the Ambassadors outside the London Trade Fair. Best to check with Chris at Sopexa UK.
Oswaldo. Not all producers are involved in the Loire Cabernet Franc project. None of the producers you mention are involved.
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