Sorry all, I’ve not been active in a while - I’ve been “enjoying” redoing my kitchen - ah, the joys of Ikea! It’s OK when you have a clean slate to work with, but not when you’re living in the kitchen you’re renovating! Anyway, a few recent tastes:
2019 Antoine Sanzay Saumur-Champigny La Haye Dampierre
My first La Haye Dampierre and not the last, I hope. Lovely nose of fresh raspberry, plums, some pepper and spices, then a bright, fresh mouthful of raspberry and dark cherry, morphing into blackcurrant midpalate and then a surprisingly sensuous finish with a savoury touch to it. Great tension but also the signs of great complexity in a few more years.
I can’t see much difference between this and Les Poyeux, but need to try them together. Anyway, highly recommended for fans of La Porte Saint Jean and Roches Neuves. 93 pts
2017 Florian Roblin Coteaux du Giennois Champ Gibault
A blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir. Sadly my last bottle, and I regret now having drunk the others too young, because this was by far the best of the three. A blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay, it has evolved into something really rather good. Aromas of sweet raspberry and strawberry, with some herbs in the background, then a subtle, restrained mouthful of the same, with hints of red cherry midpalate. Very elegant and silky, with a real sense of class. Excellent value at 13€. I’ve seen subsequent vintages with higher ABVs, so perhaps look out for that, otherwise highly recommended. 92 pts
2014 Château de Fosse-Seche Eolithe
Quite interesting but unremarkable. Fresh notes of raspberry and dark cherry on the nose and palate, quite crisp and elegant, just missing a little intensity. A good summer drink and the 11.5% ABV makes it a good lunchtime drink. I was a bit disappointed really, but still a decent wine. 90 pts
2010 Yannick Amirault Bourgueil Le Grand Clos
This continues to age gracefully, with a real feeling of class and elegance to it now. Ripe but measured notes of blackcurrant and dark cherry, with a touch of plum, and a very persistent finish, but nothing overdone. It was fascinating to try this at the same time as La Petite Cave and Les Malgagnes from the same vintage, neither of which were very good (both a bit overripe and facile). Interesting too to see that in vintages like this one where they also make a Pavillon du Grand Clos, the Grand Clos doesn’t seem to drop in quality. No hurry at all and I think it may improve further. 92 pts