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The Loire Valley, April 2009
In early February I undertook our annual visit to the wine fair in Angers, escaping the snow which engulfed much of the UK during that week. This is the yearly opportunity for the vast majority of vignerons in the Loire valley to show off their latest offerings to the rest of the world. The early season’s weather in 2008 was not kind, with variously frost, hail and torrential rain all conspiring to reduce the size of the crop and make life uncomfortable for the growers. Sunny and dry weather from the second week in September allowed the grapes to ripen fully. However, to get the best results careful selective picking was required adding further to production costs. The extra work required in the vineyards coupled with reduced production (down 30% in some cases) has put upward pressure on prices, though most growers have worked with us to minimize price increases.
The Sauvignons of the upper Loire and Touraine are attractively aromatic, concentrated yet more focused than 2007. Red wines, particularly from Cabernet Franc, display impressive concentration allied to ripe structure. Late October rain did dilute a potentially outstanding sweet wine vintage, but this list contains wines from the superb 2007 and earlier vintages.
We have found several new wines from a number of our best sources to complement the many perennial favourites. The estates are listed in order from the source of the Loire to its mouth.
Gordon Coates - April 2009
Loire ListDownload file now
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Our Favourite Selection
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Product Code: CHX308
Cape Chamonix, Pinot Noir Reserve, Franschhoek, 2008
“Soft colour. Perfumed, with red fruit overliad by coffee oak. Both juicy and velvety, this is a really classy Pinot with (by Cape standards)...”
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Product Code: FIC508
Domaine Olivier Fichet, Mâcon-Villages, Terroir de Burgy, 2008
“Young Olivier Fichet’s unoaked Chadonnay comes from his 6 hectares of vines in the excellent terroir of the northern Mâconnais near...”
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Product Code: COW305
Domaine Le Couroulu, Vacqueyras, Vieilles Vignes, 2005
“80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, made from two parcels planted on the plateau amidst the garrigue by M. Ricard’s grandparents. Guy says this is the best...”
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Product Code: AUM108
Domaine de l'Aumonier, Touraine Sauvignon, 2008
“Our best selling white wine for the last five years. Pale yellow. Fresh, lightly floral scent. Lots of flavour - lime and ripe grapefruit - and good...”
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Product Code: CAE207
CarinaE, Malbec, Reserva, Mendoza, 2007
“Oaked, mainly in old barrels. Deep purple. Seductive creamy oak nose. Really ripe and fleshy wine, brambly fruit given substance and ageing potential...”
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Product Code: JAC132
Jacquesson, Champagne, Cuvée 732, NV
“Quantities at Jacquesson are tiny, but quality is widely acknowledged as being extremely high. Cuvée 732 is based on the 2004 vintage and sourced...”
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Product Code: PN310
Great New World Pinot
“A mixed case including two bottles of each of the six wines listed, with a discount of 10%”
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Product Code: MAB108
Mas des Brousses, Chasseur des Brousses, Vin de Pays d’Oc, 2008
“60% Merlot with Grenache and Cinsaut, a wine with Bordelais style from the garrigue. Leafy and herby scents. Black plum and berry core, spiced with...”
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Product Code: Spicedoz
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Product Code: HON108
Honoro Vera, Jumilla, 2008
“Made at Bodegas Juan Gil from 100% Monastrell, organically grown in the mountains north of the city of Murcia. Deep, youthful purple. Very bright and...”
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Product Code: LEN10
Lenten Restraint
“A case of three bottles of each of these four wines, with a discount of just over 10%; a mixed dozen intended simply to put decent, fresh, really well-made wines into your home for daily drinking,...”
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Product Code: MEE107
Meerlust, Chardonnay, Stellenbosch, 2007
“Strong gold tone. Fascinating fragrance: lightly honeyed, and almost herbal, like a Vermouth. Caramel attack, very smooth, with a palate of...”
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