2017 Anjou Rouge Domaine Ogereau – very drinkable

 

A delightfully drinkable, soft 2017 Anjou Rouge (100% Cabernet Franc) from Domaine Ogereau – one to enjoy now with its fresh, youthful black fruits rather than keep to see how it develops. Better to age the 2017 Anjou Villages, when it is released and which on this evidence should be very promising. 

If I was the Ogereaus I would bottle this in a screwcap as it is ideal to take on a picnic, so that there is no problem if you forget the corkscrew.

2017 Éclat de granite, Côte Roannaise, Domaine Sérol

 

This is my first 2017 from the Côte Roannaise. Eclat de granite is na early bottling from Domaine Sérol, one of the best domaines in the Côte Roannaise. This long established estate is now run by Stéphane and Carine Sérol. Granite is the predominant soil here and Gamay, the sole grape variety permitted. 

The 2017 Eclat is delicious with soft vibrant red fruits and an attractive texture. This is very much a wine to enjoy its youthful fruit rather than to analyse. Another good vintage from this far flung part of the Loire.     

2017 Sancerre Jean-Max Roger

2017 Cuvée Marnes et Caillottes, Sancerre, Jean-Max Roger

Following on from the delicious 2017 Natalie, Reuilly (Claude Lafond) here is more evidence here demonstrating what an attractive vintage 2017 is for Loire Sauvignon Blanc. It has attractive citric weight with a grapefruit character to the fore, length and good balance. This cuvée may gain more complexity with time.

 

Loire news: Domaine Richou + Saget into Muscadet

 

 

 

News from Domaine Richou – 2017

Unfortunately 2017 joins 1945 and 1991 as years when Domaine Richou suffered serious April frost. The domaine was hit on 26th April overall losing 30% of the harvest. Les Rogeries and Le Champ de Pie were 90% wiped out – a total of 5ha 20. In Savennières La Bigotttière (1.30ha) lost 60% of the crop, while two parcels of Cabernet Franc suffered a 50% loss.

Quite early on the Richous decided not to make any Coteaux de l'Aubance in 2017 and instead make une grande cuvée from three parcels – Le Pavillion (schistes and quartz), Le Grand Vau (schistes gréseux and phtanites) and Les Rogeries (only 10% surviving the frost). 

Due to a poor flowering the Gamays from Les Chatelliers and Le Champ de la Pierre are down by 40% of normal. 

Domaine Richou is now organic.  

••• 

Laurent Saget

 Saget to invest in Muscadet

The Saget family, growers and négociants in Pouilly-sur-Loire announced today that they are in the process of buying a domaine in Muscadet. The sale will be finalised in March. Apparently they have long been looking to invest in the Pays Nantais. 

 

 

 

Loire 2017 harvest – some more photos from previous harvests

Chenin Blanc in the Layon October 2005 vintage 

showing the grapes at their golden stage 

(above and below)

Cabernet Franc in Saumur – October 2005 

Boxes of Pinot Noir at Domaine Fouassier, Sancerre 

2009

 Picking in Le Puy Notre Dame 

2010

2012 two hod carriers in Sancerre

Busy harvest scene@Sancerre 2012