Vive la modération (part 1): Loire and Rhône

2008 Les Roches, Saumur-Champigny, 

Domaine des Champs Fleuris:

proof again that 2008 is an attractive vintage

drinking well now but still good potential to age 

Our just over three-week stay in Touraine is coming to a close. Time to record the bottles that we have enjoyed in suitable modération bien sûr!

 2010 Galichets, Bourgueil, Domaine de la Chevalerie, 

Stéphanie, Emmanuel and Pierre Caslot

(above and below)

Lovely mid-weight red from leading Bourgueil producer

2010 is a very good Loire vintage – rare in that it was successful across the board: dry white, reds and sweets

 2009 Les Chailloux, Sancerre, Claude Riffault  http://www.clauderiffault.com

Stéphane Riffault, who has taken over from his father Claude, is making brilliant Sancerres

This 2009 from flinty soil is wonderfully precise and very clean

(above and below)

2009 Sancerre, Domaine des Brosses, Alain Girard

softer and more evolved than the Riffault

 2011 Domaine de la Ganse, Vacqueyras

In the SkinCôntact raffle I won six bottles of Rhône wine (red). These are they. The Séguret and the Vacqueyras were both particularly good – full bodied with blackfruits without being overpowering fruit bombs.

 2011 Domaine de Mourchon, Séguret

 2013 Vinsobres, Cru des Côtes du Rhône, Les Dauphins

2008 Le Mont demi-sec, Vouvray, Domaine Huet

This 2008 makes the case for demi-sec 

lovely balance of delicately sweet fruit and acidity.