The Star Winemakers of the Loire

Discover Didier Frayssou's report from the latest Oenoschool tasting on the theme "The Star Winemakers of the Loire"

Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre Vieilles Vignes 2005 *** A pale gold color. A very sunny nose of dried fruits, candied citrus and honey. The palate is full without being warm. The finish is clean but somewhat short.

Pascal Cotat Sancerre Blanc La Grande Côte 2004 **** A saline nose with notes of gooseberries, white flowers and grapefruit. The palate is reserved but expresses itself well with aeration in a cold and mineral register.

Pascal Cotat Sancerre Blanc Les Monts Damnés 2000 ***(*) The color is pale gold and the nose very expressive: honey, grapefruit, mango... the palate is generous, very full with beautiful length but a slight bitterness.

Clos Rougeard Saumur Brézé Blanc 2007 ***** A pronounced golden color. A nose of quince, dried fruits, spices, caramel… toasted notes and clove. The palate is powerful but balanced by a sharp acidity and has an endless length. A very open wine...

Philippe Foreau Vouvray Demi Sec 2002 **** A golden color with orange reflections. A nose of quince, mango, linden... The palate is very straight with well-integrated sugar.

Anne Claude Leflaive Anjou Clau de Nell Cuvée Violette 2012 **(*) The color is matte and pronounced. The nose, although animal and reduced upon opening, is more "civilized" after 3 hours in a carafe (black fruits, peppers...). The palate is full and fruity but has a very marked acidity and very firm tannins that soften 2 days after tasting... A wine that deserves 1 day of aeration or 5 to 10 additional years of aging.

Gérald Vallée Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil « L'envolée » 2005 **** The color is dark, not very evolved and bright. The nose reveals aromas of very ripe black fruits, licorice and cocoa. The palate is both very ripe and marked by beautiful freshness. The tannins are present but balanced by a lovely volume on the palate.

Thierry Germain Saumur Champigny La Marginale 2001 *** A matte and slightly evolved color with a nose of black fruits that is slightly vegetal. The palate is refined but the tannins are present and quite dry. It lacks fruit and remains very austere after 15 years.

Clos Rougeard Saumur Champigny 2011 **** A matte and slightly cloudy color. A nose of black fruits, tea, and roses. The palate is simple, delicious and ripe. A very lovely wine that can be enjoyed without prior decanting.

Charles Joguet Chinon Clos de la Dioterie 1997 ****(*) A very light and evolved color with a nose of faded roses, tea, raspberry and some animal notes. The palate is more infused than concentrated but very pleasant. The tannins are melted and the persistence of aromas remarkable.