2018 Joseph Mellot Saumur-Champigny Le Boisclair, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

This is Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley in France.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, green bell peppers, tobacco and earthiness.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this has nice depth.  Some complexity.  Flavors of black cherries, slight bell pepper, tobacco and slight earthiness.  Good finish.  I don't believe this wine sees any oak which gives it a good freshness.  It is nice on its own but would be better with food.  It would work well with Szechuan Beef.  drink over the next few years.  

2020 Dominique Joseph - Domaine Le Petit Saint Vincent Saumur-Champigny, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

This is Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley in France.  It is from the wineries youngest vines and aged in concrete.  Ruby  in color with some purple and blue hues, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is sweaty/dusty with cherries and strawberries and a bit of black pepper.  Medium tannins.  Tart acidity.  On the palate, cherries with a touch of strawberries.  A streak of heat on the finish.  This is nice on its own but really needs some food.  It would be nice with some fatty meats, say a Lamb Stew. Drink over the next five to eight years.

2019 Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur Blanc L'Echelier, France, Loire Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$68.00USD

This is 100% Chenin Blanc from 70 year old vines in the Loire Valley.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has loads of minerality with a touch of lemon peel.  Slightly viscous texture.  Concentrated.  Lots of energy.  On the palate, this is clean and tasty with a lot of minerality.  Slight lemon note.  Long finish. This is very young but drinking well.  It should continue to drink well for another ten to fifteen years (at least).  A great match for grilled trout or other sea food.  This is expensive so shop around for pricing.  

2020 Château Yvonne Saumur-Champigny La Folie, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

Ruby in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries with a bit of a cough syrup quality.  medium bodied.  On the palate a very slightly sweet black cherry fruit.  Some depth and complexity.  Nice finish.  This is an easy drinking wine that will be a nice choice with a burger.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  

2014 Domaine Langlois-Château Saumur-Champigny, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

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.  

2018 Domaine de l'Enchantoir Saumur Blanc Terres Blanches, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is a really enjoyable Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley of France.  Light gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has lots of minerals, orange peel and slight floral notes.  Medium bodied.  Slightly sweet.  Concentrated minerality on the palate.  Long finish.  This is delicious now and should drink well for another decade.  It drinks well on its own and will work well with lighter salads and seafoods.  

2017 Cave de Saumur Rouge Les Pouches, France, Loire Valley, Saumur, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$13.00USD

`This is a 100% Cabernet Franc froma Co-Op in Saumur.  An inexpensive red, it is an excellent value.  Inky purple in color.  The nose is light but has cherries, plums, green bell pepper and a bit of a steely note.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there is more present.  Plums and cherries with a bit of a green streak.  Light tannins.  With air the red fruits come out more.  Moderate finish.  This probably won't get better but should drink well for five to seven years.  It is better with a bit of food.  Stews or Chili would work well.  For $13, its hard to expect more from a red.  

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

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
90
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.

2013 Domaine du Collier Saumur La Charpentrie Rouge, France, Loire Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

This is from a region typically more known for their whites.  The owner of this winery is the son and nephew of the owners of Clos Rougeard, a "cult" wine in the Loire Valley.  This is Cabernet Franc from old vines.  It is a very nice wine.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has a slight barnyard with cherries, black licorice and slight hay quality.  On the palate, concentrated cherries.  Nice layering as this unwinds in the glass.  It has a soft texture but at the some time intense.  Long finish.  Certainly not over ripe, this wine will work better with food.  It would be interesting to try