Loire Millésime – Fontevraud 19th - 22nd April 2017 – some fine bottles from dinner

 2010 Les Rogeries, Anjou Blanc, Domaine Richou
Grand vin d'Anjou from a lovely vintage

We had a very enjoyable opening dinner last night with some fine bottles. Unfortunately the cold temperatures overnight here in the Loire with the threat of another vintage hit by frost rather subdues the pleasure these wines gave. 
 

 1989 Les Picasses, Olga Raffault, Chinon
1989 one of the great Loire vintages 
and a treat to drink this excellent Chinon
with the typical ripe richness of 1989 

1992 Savennières Roche aux Moines, Domaine aux Moines  

Quite austere, still youthful from a difficult vintage 

that followed the frost of 1991

Made by Monique Laroche 

2007 Jubilation Le Pallet, Les Vignerons du Pallet
2007 was their first vintage of Cru Communaux 
Around 24 months on the lees
More evidence that Muscadet ages well.

A few bottles in Touraine

 

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.