This is always a large and often crowded tasting – hardly surprising given Liberty Wines' high reputation and fine roster of growers. The 2010 edition at the Oval Cricket Ground had 422 wines plus a few Cognacs and grappas to taste but my primary attention was on their Loire producers.
Philippe Günther with the 2008 Saint-Fiacre
I started with the very clean and crisp 2008 Saint-Fiacre Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine (recommended retail price: £8.49) from Château du Coing. With its iodine smell of it made me wish I had a plate of oysters in front of me. "In 2008 we only made 30 hl/ha because of the frost. Whereas we made 50 hl/ha in 2009 and we are very happy with the quality.
Philippe's wife Veronique Günther-Chéreau is the sister of Bernard Chéreau of Chéreau-Carré (Château de Chasseloir). The two properties used be to be combined but are now split.
Then onto two wines (both 2009) involving Sébastien Vaillant – one under Sébastien's name and one under the Vignerons de Valençay. The first – a Valençay (RRP: £9.99) – is a blend of 80% Sauvignon and 20% Chardonnay and spends four months on its lees. Attractive grapefruit flavours allied with a soft, roundness that comes from the Chardonnay. It has a Selvin closure (screwcap). See previous notes on the 2008 vintage here and here. The second wine is a Loire Sauvignon Blanc vin de pays (RRP: £9.99) – also Stelvin closed. Bottled early – in mid-December – this is quite rich with attractive citrus flavours with grapefruit to the fore.
Next a bracing 2009 Sauvignon de Touraine from Domaine des Corbillières, Oisly (RRP: £9.99) At present the aromas are discreet on this quite lean wine, although it does have fair length. With a little time this may take on more weight and become more expressive. On present showing I'd go for the Valençay vin de pays at the same price.
Report on the tasting on-going.
Sébastien Vaillant with his 2009 Valençay Blanc
Then onto two wines (both 2009) involving Sébastien Vaillant – one under Sébastien's name and one under the Vignerons de Valençay. The first – a Valençay (RRP: £9.99) – is a blend of 80% Sauvignon and 20% Chardonnay and spends four months on its lees. Attractive grapefruit flavours allied with a soft, roundness that comes from the Chardonnay. It has a Selvin closure (screwcap). See previous notes on the 2008 vintage here and here. The second wine is a Loire Sauvignon Blanc vin de pays (RRP: £9.99) – also Stelvin closed. Bottled early – in mid-December – this is quite rich with attractive citrus flavours with grapefruit to the fore.
Next a bracing 2009 Sauvignon de Touraine from Domaine des Corbillières, Oisly (RRP: £9.99) At present the aromas are discreet on this quite lean wine, although it does have fair length. With a little time this may take on more weight and become more expressive. On present showing I'd go for the Valençay vin de pays at the same price.
Report on the tasting on-going.
