A night in Loire

July 21, 2011

It had been too long since getting together for a tasting with friends. So, ten of us gathered on a beautiful night in Santa Barbara for a tasting of some wines of the Loire.  You can't ask for much more than to sit out and enjoy a great night with friends, a bunch of wine, and some wonderful home cooked food.

On the menu was: truffled cheese and crackers, bruschetta, panzanella salad with amazing heirloom tomatoes and burrata cheese, a fantastic bouillabaisse/zuppa di pesce with a New Orleans flair, and some delicious peaches and nectarines with whipped cream and pistachios served in a mason jar.  It was an all around amazing meal, if you couldn't already tell.

The wines:

2009 La Fentre Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard *+ – Not especially ripe in style, but prominent oak showed a toasty character.

2009 Chateau D'Epire, Savennieres ** – Bright, crisp, and quite nice.
2004 Chateau D'Epire, Savennieres * – Slightly oxidized.
2003 Domaine des Baumard, Savennieres, Trie Speciale *** – Star of the flight. Very nice with notes of pear and something reminiscent of waxy cheese.

2005 Domaine des Baumard, Savennieres, Clos du Papillon **+ – My favorite of the flight. Had some good fruit while staying lazer sharp.
2004 Domaine des Baumard, Savennieres, Clos du Papillon ** - Slight funk on the nose, but a nice wine.
2010 Foxen, Chenin Blanc, Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard ** – Much more fruit than its French counterparts, but enjoyable all the same. Notes of banana cream.

2009 Domaine de la Quilla Muscadet - Sevre de Maine *** – Amazing brightness and acidity that begged for shellfish. Best Muscadet I’ve had, great wine.

2008 Domaine du Bel Air, Bourgueil, "les Vingt lieux dits" *+ – The start of the reds, nothing too exciting here, but not bad.
2009 Domaine Sauvete Touraine, Les Gravouilles, Gamay ** – Enjoyed the juicy fruit on this one.

2009 Domaine de Beausejour, Chinon *+ – classic Cab Franc profile
2008 Domaine de Pallus, Chinon, Les Pensees de Pallus *+ – classic Cab Franc profile
2006 Charles Joguet, Chinon, Dioterie *+ – classic Cab Franc profile

2002 Saumur Champigny, Clos Mongeard ** – more rich and full that previous flight, nice wine.
2006 Domaine Nerleux Saumur-Champigny, "Clos Chatains" Monopole ** – nice way to finish the night, showed more fruit.

This was a great tasting through a bunch of cool wines.  What continues to be the case for me is that I am drawn much more to the white wines of this region that it's reds.  All are of good quality and an attractive price-point, but the whites repeatedly stand out for me.  Lovely refreshing wines of great acidity and balance.  Now I just need to go out there and get some for my cellar!

Cheers!

0 Stars - No rating

1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!
Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.