2016 DWWA results – Loire: bests and golds

2016 DWWA and the red coats @Tobacco Dock

In addition to the Platinum Award – best Sauvignon Blanc over £15 – going to the 2015 Sancerre from Villebois, the results for the Loire 2016 edition of DWWA are easily the best since the competition started in 2004. This reflects the quality of the 2014 and 2015 vintages.

The Best: 

Best Loire red over £15: 2014 L'Ancestrale, Chinon, Domaine de Jourdan & Pichard 

Best White Loire under £15: 2014 Les Coudraies, Vouvray demi-sec, Domaine d'Orfeuilles 

Best sweet Loire over £15: 2014 Coteaux du Layon 1er Cru Chaume, Domaine de la Roche Moreau, André Davy 

Golds: 

Saphir Brut, Saumur Mousseux, Bouvet-Ladubay, mid-range sparkling, £8-£14.99

2014 Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru, Château Bellerive,  Super-Premium £30.00-59.99

2014 Bonnezeaux, Château la Varière, Super-Premium £30.00-59.99 

2014 Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine sur lie, Domaine Clair Moreau, Mid-Range £8.00 - £14.99

2015 Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine sur lie, Vieilles Vignes, Domaine Salmon,
Mid-Range £8.00 - £14.99

2015 Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine sur lie, Domaine de la Tourmaline, Gadais Père et Fils, Entry Level Up to £7.99,

2015 Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine sur lie, Manoir de la Hersandière, Mid-Range £8.00 - £14.99 

2015 Menetou-Salon Blanc, Domaine de l'Ermitage, Géraud de la Farge 

2015 Pouilly-Fumé, J de Villebois, Premium £15.00 - £29.99

2014 Sensi, Saumur-Champigny, La Source de Ruault, Premium £15.00 - £29.99

2014 La Terre des Anges, Sancerre, Laporte, Premium £15.00 - £29.99

   

2016 DWWA Results –Villebois Sancerre made by Thierry Merlet best Sauvignon over £15

Details of the award winning 2015 Sancerre, Villebois 

made by Thierry Merlet

 Winemaker Thierry Merlet at the 

Salon des Vins de Loire January 2015 

The 2016 Decanter World Wine Awards are now out and I am delighted to see that for the first time since the awards started that a Loire wine has taken a best of show award. The 2015 Sancerre from Villebois made by Thierry Merlet took the Platinum Award for the best Sauvignon Blanc over £15 in the 2016 DWWA. The Sancerre is closed with a screwcap.

It is particularly pleasing to see this triumph for the very talented and likeable Thierry Merlet. I first met Thierry when he was at Levin, the winemaking venture of David Levin of London's Capital Hotel in Bourré close to Montrichard in the Cher Valley. Thierry had worked for Brian Croser and it was through Brian that Thierry came to work for Levin.

Very unfortunately Thierry's time at Levin did not end happily. There was a court case – inevitably an unequal contest between a wealthy man and a young winemaker. Thierry had to declare himself bankrupt to extricate himself. I don't intend to go into this history in detail but suffice to say that I will never buy a bottle of Levin's wine nor eat in his restaurant. 

Fortunately Thierry's talents were recognised by Villebois and he is now fulfilling his promise. In addition several of Villebois' other Sauvignon Blancs also won awards at this year's DWWA.       

Since January 2015 Villebois and Fournier Père et Fils have been linked together. 

Thierry at 2012 Salon des Vins de Loire

 

Thierry while still at Levin 

December 2008