Yesterday evening after driving out from London to Touraine, it was great to be invited for a relaxed dinner with friends. We started with a fine bottle of Jacky Blot's Triple Zéro Pétillant Rosé that allayed any fatigue after the journey.
That was followed by 2010 Cuvée Silex from Jacky and Pascal Preys, who are based in Meusnes towards the easternly part of the Touraine appellation. The 2010 Silex has lovely ripe Sauvignon fruit allied with freshness in the finish and certainly no sign of unwelcome aggressivity. Jacky is famous for saving and promoting the Fié Gris in the Loire.
Next up with a delicious dish of slow cooked lamb was the 2010 Les Barnabés from Olga Raffault with good concentration of red and black fruits but not a big structure – just a very attractive wine to drink and typical of the lighter sand and gravel soils found around Savigny-en-Véron towards the western end of the Chinon appellation.
With the exception of the Jacky Blot, all of these wines plus a Le Chaumont, Saumur-Champigny, Domaine de la Perruche from Jacques Beaujeau, were bought in the Leclerc at Amboise.
I also like the Raffault Barnabés 2010 - Marc & I put it in our all-Loire Cabernet Franc selection, last year, for In Vino Veritas. Strange that we have so many wines in common, Jim - may be we should start a blog together...
ReplyDeleteCurious that, Hervé, but you and Marc are far too distinguished for me to join you in a blog!
ReplyDelete