Yapp tasting: 14th May 2012

The tasting: Dutch Masters' style?

Popped along to the Yapp Brothers' spring tasting yesterday at Medcalf in Exmouth Market, where Jason Yapp and Tom Ashworth were showing a range of wines from the Loire, Rhône, South West France, Provence, Midi, Savoie and Corsica.

2011 Menetou-Salon (blanc) Domaine Jean Teiller  

Amongst a few 2011 Loire whites in the line up, the 2011 Menetou-Salon (£13.50) from Domaine Jean Teiller showed best with attractive minerality and good length. Also present was the Angeli's La Lune from the 2010 vintage.

2010 La Lune, Vin de France, Mark and Martial Angeli in Thouarcé

Jason clearly felt that it had been a real coup to winkle some wine out of the Angelis. "This time we phoned on the right day," Jason explained. The Angelis' 2010 La Lune (£19.50) is rich, concentrated and long-lasting with some residual sugar. Best cellared for a few years as their wines tend to gain increased complexity with age and can be magnificent. 

Amongst the whites from other regions the 2011 Collioure (£15.50) from the Domaine la Tour Vieille – a blend of Vermentino, Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc, Maccabeu and Roussanne was the most impressive. From a range of Rosés I picked out the 2011 Cassis (£18.25) from Clos Sainte Magdeleine. 

On to the reds where the softly textured, easy drinking 2011 Saumur Rouge (£11.75), Château Fouquet from Domaine Filliatreau impressed.

 2011 Saumur, Château Fouquet 

2010 L'expression, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Joël Taluau

The 2010 L'expression, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil (£11.75) from Joël Taluau is also softly textured but a little more structured than the Saumur. Can be drunk with food now but may well benefit from a little more bottle age.  

Away from the Loire I was impressed by the 2011 Côtes de Thongue, Domaine les Filles de Septembre (Merlot, Grenache Noir and Carignan) (£8.95); 2010 Tradition, Côtes de Provence, Domaine Richeaume (Grenache Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon) (£16.95); 2007 Gigondas, Domaine Saint Gayan (Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre) (£15.95), 2009 Saint-Joseph, Domaine J-L Chave (£33); 2009 Côte Rôtie, Domaine Patrick Jasmin (£33); and the 2001 Coteaux des Baux, Domaine de Trévallon (Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon) (£49).     

Matthew Jukes 

Tasting watched by blackbird

Skegness's favourite son and greatest export

Jason Yapp and Tom Ashworth