In a recent tasting of Loire reds, this was the run away winner.  100% Cabernet Franc.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose  has black cherries, slight cedary notes and chalk.  Silky texture.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, the black cherry fruit comes thru with some underlying chalk.  Deep.  Light tannins.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This is nice on its own and would  work nicely with grilled meats or roasted veggies.  It may still improve a bit but should drink well for another eight to twelve years.  

This is 100% Cabernet Franc from the difficult 2014 vintage.  Ruby in color with a purple core.  The nose has black cherries with slight coffee.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  This is probably a bit past peak but still drinking well.  Nice depth.  Good finish.  The wine will work better with food.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

Muscadets have been some of the best values in the wine world for some time and although the price has risen, they still hold that distinction.  This was the final year that Mark Olivier, whose reputation is at the top of Muscadets, was working at his winery.  It is 100% Melon de Bourgone grown organically.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has an interesting herbal (almost minty) note along with slight citrus and plenty of salinity and minerality.  A bit of crushed shells as well.  Slightly oily texture.  On the palate, almonds and citrus.  Nice finish.  Refreshing.  This

This sparkling wine from the Loire Valley is 100% Chenin Blanc.  Light golden in color with a fair amount of quickly disappearing medium bubbles.  The nose has seltzer and minerality.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, bitter almonds with a hint of orange peel.  Shorter finish.  A very pleasant wine as an aperitif.  Nice on its own, it should be very food friendly.  Fried appetizers would work well.  Drink over the next year or two.  

This is an iconic bottling from one of the controversial masters of Loire wines.  He has long used "natural winemaking techniques" long before they were en vogue.  The lack of preservatives in the wines leads to a higher amount of spoilage at times, so one needs to be careful with ordering, shipping and storage.  No worries here, this wine was stunning.  It is made from 100% Chenin Blanc grown biodynamically since 1984.  Golden in color (not deep), clear and bright.  The nose is great with orange peel, apricots, salinity and just a slight note of nuttiness.  Medium to full bodied.  On the p

Ordered off the list at Craig's in Hollywood, CA.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with lemon, lime, slight floral note and  slight  smoke.  Full bodied.  Creamy texture.  On the palate, this is dry as a bone.  Delicious.  Lemons with slight lime.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  Very food friendly.  Went great with a Veggie Burger.  Drink over the next ten years.

Purchased off the list at The Arbor in Pasadena.  This is Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley in France.  Light golden in color with slight green hues.  The nose is nice with a slight grassy note  but also a slight tropical fruit note.  Light bodied.  Slightly sweet, but just a hint.  Good finish.  This is a lovely way to start a meal and was popular with everyone at the table.  Drink over the next year or so.  

Purchased off the list at The Arbor in Pasadena California.  Kudos to them for this inspired and affordable choice.  $65 or so off the list.  Purple in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is deep with black raspberries, slight blueberries, hints of bubble gum and black licorice.  Medium bodied.  Nice texture.  On the palate, this is young but tasty.  Blueberries and black raspberries with a slight sour note.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now and should drink well for the next five to eight years.  It went very well with Pappardelle Pasta, Pesto and Burrata.  

Cuvaison is best known for their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir but in 2012 they launched a sparkling program. Comprised of mainly Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay, this brut was made in the traditional Champagne method. Using Pinot Dijon clone 115 planted in 1998, winemaker Steve Rogstad says these 25-year-old vines bring a “precocious beauty” to the wine, and I have to agree. This is a delicate wine with minimal sweetness, using the grace of the Pinot and the acidity and light salinity of the Chardonnay to make a very balanced, almost shy wine.

Founded in 1987, Argyle has always considered sparkling wine to be one of their mainstays. With a mild carbonation and light fresh flavors, not to mention a good price tag, this is an easy decision for your sparkling needs. Light notes of lemon, quince, green apple, just-baked sourdough, a touch of lime zest and tangerine peel make this a delightful wine. Comprised of 52% Chardonnay and 43% Pinot Noir, a little Pinot Meunier rounds it out. Aged in stainless steel with just 20% in neutral oak allows the bright expressive flavors to come through while allowing for a nice bit of mouth feel.