WINES : FRANCE : Loire Valley

91WS-Pascal Jolivet "Chateau du Nozay" Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (750ML)

A really tight, steely style, with asparagus and talc hints peeking out, while the flint and chive core waits in reserve...

Alphonse Mellot "Les Penitents" Loire Chardonnay 2007 (750ML)

The name Alphonse Mellot, and the Sancerre region where the family wines are produced, need no introduction, but their V...

Barton & Guestier "B & G" Vouvray 2011(750ML)

Bernard Baudry "Les Granges" Chinon Red 2011 (750ML) (Sustainable)

Fast becoming one of the most important estates in Chinon, the Baudry family is producing some serious wines. We visited...

Catherine & Pierre Breton Bourgueil Les Perrieres 1992 (organic) (750ML)

Library release direct from the estate. It's never been anywhere except chez les Bretons, the temperature controlled con...

Catherine & Pierre Breton Bourgueil Les Perrieres 1993 (organic) (750ML)

Library release direct from the estate. It's never been anywhere except chez les Bretons, the temperature controlled con...

Chateau de la Roche en Loire "Cuvee Justine" 2010 (750ml) (Biodynamic)

Chateau du Hureau "Tuffe" 2010 (750ml) (Organic)

What: 100% Cabernet Franc

Where: Saumur Champigny, Central Loire Valley, France

Why: Because Peter freaked out over th...

Chereau-Carre "Chateau Chasseloir" Muscadet de Sevre et Maine Sur Lie White 2010 (750ML)

Bracing, with a lovely saline edge to the lemon and star fruit core. Invigorating finish. WS

Christian Venier "La Roche" Gamay 2010 (750ml) (Natural)

Pure, crunchy, mineraly red fruit. Dangerously gulpable. With this much red fruit, acidity and low alcohol (11.5% baby!)...

Clos du Tue-Boeuf Cheverny "Rouillon" Rouge Natural 2010 (750ML) (Natural)

Like their straight "Cheverny" the "Rouillon" is a blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir, but harvested from a special vineyard ...

Clos du Tue-Boeuf P'Tit Blanc 2010(750ML)

Not on the Natural Wine train yet? What are you waiting for? This is it, the future of wine. The wine that every wine ge...

Clos Roche Blanche Cuvee PIF 2011 (750ML)

What: Cabernet Franc and Malbec (Cot, in Francaise).

Where: Touraine, Loire Valley, France.

Why: Because this is one o...

de Ladoucette Pouilly Fume 2009 (750ML)

Oh, the flinty-flinty taste of a good Pouilly Fume on the tongue. It's what gives this Loire-centric version of Sauvigno...

Domaine Aux Moines Savennieres "Roches Aux Moines" 1999 (750ml) (Sustainable)

If Huet is the JJ Prum of the Loire, you can think of "Aux Moines" as the Egon Muller. You can also think of it as the b...

Domaine aux Moines, Savennieres "Roche aux Moines" 1994 (750ML) (Sustainable)

This is a rare (very rare!) chance to get your palate on some Chenin Blanc with almost 20 years on it, from an esteemed ...

Domaine Champalou "Cuvee Fondraux" Vouvray 2010 (750ML)

A touch waxy, with hints of spice (nutmeg perhaps) and that ever-persistent, ever-delightful laser focused yellow fruit ...

Domaine Chofflet-Valdenaire 09 Givry Rouge Grands Vins de Bourgogne (750ML)

Domaine de la Chevalerie Bonn'heure Bourgueil 2011 (750ML)

The Caslot family has only owned Domaine de la Chevalerie estate since, oh, 1640. It's pretty safe to say they know what...

Domaine de la Louvetrie Muscadet "Sur Lie" 2011 (750ml) (Organic)

What: 100% Melon de Bourgogne.

Where: Muscadet, Loire Valley, France.

Why: Because it's delicious, mineraly, and just ...

Domaine de la Paonnerie "Coteaux d'Ancenis" 2011 (Natural) (750ML)

Coteaux d'Ancenis lives somewhere between Anjou and Nantes on the northern edge of the river. This is mostly Muscadet co...

Domaine de la Pepiere "Chateau Thebaud" (sustainable) 2009 (750ML)

Do the names: Clisson, Gorges, Le Pallet, Monnieres, Saint Fiacre, Goulaine and Sanguez sound familiar. If so, congratul...

Domaine de la Pepiere "Clisson" Muscadet (sustainable) 2010(750ML)

This is always one of Marc Olivier's most sought after cuvees. Formerly known as the "Granite de Clisson" (the word "Gra...

Domaine de la Pepiere "Muscadet Sevre et Maine" 2012 (sustainable) (750ML)

If we had our way, fish stores would include a bottle of Muscadet with every dozen oysters sold. But barring new regulat...

Domaine du Colombier "Domaine du Colombier Cuvee Vielles Vignes" Chinon Cabernet Franc 2009 (750ML)

This exhibits the classic pencil lead and bell pepper scents the varietal and region express so well. It's also a touch ...