2016 Château d'Epiré Savennières Le Hu Boyau, France, Loire, Wine Review

I love Chenin Blanc and some of my favorites come from the Loire Valley in France. This is an excellent wine. It was $35 on release. Golden in color. The nose is mostly about minerality although there is a touch or orange peel. Very clean. On the palate, this has a light sweetness to it. Lots of minerality with good acidity. It has a lot of complexity even at this young age. Quite concentrated. Consumed over three nights, it was best on night three. This should easily last a couple more decades. It will go well with lighter foods or foul and also consider Thai or similar cuisines.

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Vintage:

2016

Vouvray: A Chenin Blanc for the Ages

Among Americans, the Loire Valley is most often associated with gardens and castles and not much else. We journey the 150 kilometers southwest from Paris and take a day or two visiting Chateau de Chambord and Chenonceau, all the while enjoying the delightful flora and thinking of bygone days when princes and noblemen still roamed the cavernous halls in this ancient land. But the French know better. They know what we foreigners are just beginning to discover—that some of the most interesting, delicious, and affordable wines in the world hail from the chalky soil on which those famous castles stand.

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2015 Domaine de Bellivière Jasnières Premices, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

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Grade:

Current Price:

$27.00USD

I brought this to dinner with a couple that usually take a small pour of my whites and move quickly on. Not this time. They both went back for seconds, which is of course, the best compliment to the wine. Really in a good place, but it is Chenin Blanc, so it has a long life ahead of it. Light golden in color. The nose has a lovely salinity along with some apricots and orange peel. Also a slight metallic minerality (in a good way). On the palate, be forewarned, this is sweet. Probably a bit more than off dry. But it is lovely and deft and light on its feet. The orange peel comes th

2012 Domaine Michel Chevre Saumur Blanc Clos de l'Ecotard, France, Loire Valley, Wine Review

Vintage:

2020

Score:

Grade:

A-

This is a Chenin Blanc from the central part of the Loire Valley. Medium "olde" gold in color with just a touch of copper. The nose is very nice with lots of minerals, a bit of salinity and some orange peel. On the palate, this is dry. Nice citrus with some orange pith and underlying minerality. Slightly tart on the finish. A lovely, slightly oily texture. Chenin ages very well and this is still drinking well.

2018 Domaine Huet Vouvray Sec Clos du Bourg, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

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Current Price:

$38.00USD

From one of the top producers in the Loire Valley in France comes this great value in dry Chenin Blanc. Light golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is great with orange peel, sea air and minerality. Medium bodied. Great texture. Dry. On the palate, there is quince, slight salinity and underlying minerality. Nice acidity. Long finish. This is delicious on its own and will work well with lighter foods and also Thai food. This is drinking well right now and should continue to do so for ten to twelve more years.

2022 Domaine (Alain & Christophe) Le Capitaine Vouvray Sec Les Perrières, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage:

2022

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$22.00USD

This is a dry Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley in France. Silvery/green/gold in color, clear and bright. The nose is interesting with red apples, crushed rocks, Linden leaves, and a slight orange peel note. Full bodied. Lovely "slick" texture. On the palate, crushed rocks/minerality, and red apples with a nice backbone of acidity. Long finish. This is young and vibrant but will round out with some age. It should drink well for another ten more years. A nice wine for Thai or Chinese food, but this would also be great with fried chicken.

2016 Château d'Epiré Savennières Le Hu Boyau, France, Loire, Wine Review

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Vouvray: A Chenin Blanc for the Ages

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2012 Domaine Michel Chevre Saumur Blanc Clos de l'Ecotard, France, Loire Valley, Wine Review

2018 Domaine Huet Vouvray Sec Clos du Bourg, France, Loire, Wine Review

2022 Domaine (Alain & Christophe) Le Capitaine Vouvray Sec Les Perrières, France, Loire, Wine Review