A classification, vintages and impressions of Loire reds

I’ve never tried Nau Frères - another one to look out for, especially as their prices are attractive.

The same alas cannot be said for Domaine de Collier! Finding the stuff is near impossible over here, apart from at auction, where they sell for high prices, especially La Charpentrie.

Collier La Ripaille seems to be available here but pricing is $50+. Tough sell with so much Amirault, Baudry, Breton, Raffault. etc. at appreciably lower prices.

RT

I might have missed it, but no love at all over 3 pages for Château de Villeneuve of Jean-Pierre Chevalier ? Their Grand Clos in particular is good and ages well.

Thanks, Julian. Sorry I missed it on the front page. Happy to have a chance to give the domaine a shout out, since it seemed to have gotten lost in the pack a bit.

I confess to being unaware of the Clos Nouveau. There doesn’t appear to be much in the US. Do you have any experience you can report?

I’m not much of ranker, too wishy washy to take a stand. The top Amirault wines probably grab me a little more strongly than other folks, but it’s not something I’d quibble over. I don’t think I’d argue against putting the Croix Boisee at the top of a non-Rougeard-including list.

How much cellar time do you find the Germain wines need to open up enough to show their potential?

Another producer included on the front page but not mentioned subsequently is Mabileau. I have a couple of bottle of the Eclipse in the cellar, but I’m pretty sure I’ve never opened one. Anyone have experience?

Really modern fruit and easily approachable. No qualms opening at any time, frankly. Start with the Franc de Pied if you have any youngsters.

The 2017 Thierry Germain Clos de L’Echelier Rouge last night was delicious, even if it’s young.

Hamza - nobody has mentioned Château de Villeneuve but we did include it among the 4ths. I agree that their Grand Clos is impressive.

Elliot - I’ve yet to try a Clos Nouveau, but I’m keen to do so! I quite agree about Frédéric Mabileau - I really enjoyed his Coutures 2010 and 2012, with the latter just shading the former. I’ve got an Eclipse 2010 in the pipeline - quite impressed that you have got some, since this is another fairly hard to find!

Indeed, prices are a gift. They have recently rebranded a couple of their wines. The flagship Vieilles Vignes is now named for its vineyard, Les Bruntières. Same for what was Les Varennes, now Les Grisottiers. A couple of years ago they introduced La Cigogne (the stork) from a special plot. It’s a bit more stylized but not garishly so.

Just be aware that alcohol levels surged by 1-2% in 2018 compared to 2017. So, some wines are not entirely representative.

If you visit the area, I can help arrange a personal tour and tasting.

Thanks Greg, good to know!

I loved the Germain whites I tried last year and so based on that loaded up on the 18 rouge when they came out a few weeks ago. Picked up 6 each of the Terre Chaude, Les Memoires and Franc de Pied.

Hmmm. I think the model used above is the righy appriach.

What is this Burgundy vineyard classification that people refer to? I thought PPP was the way in Burgundy. When everyone talks of following the Burgundians, the drinkers of Burgundy subscribe to the Bordeaux model!

Just popped open a 2017 Philippe Alliet Chinon. Base bottling. My first experience with the producer. Wow, talk about QPR! Boysenberry, red plum, mild spice, lovely brightness, appealing pure fruit attack, a touch of minerality. Very well balanced. Gentle tannins. No oak (cement tanks). Bargain at $23 for the level of quality.

RT

Glad you enjoyed the Alliet. This is very similar to my reaction. I’d humbly suggest hunting down a bottle of the Vielles Vignes cuvée if possible. It’s a real step up in terms of complexity, but still drinks well young (unlike l’Huisserie and the Coteau de Noire, in my limited experience).

Just opened a bottle of Yannick Amirault 2015 La Mine I bought from a local restaurant on the recommendation of this thread - really nice! Probably the product of a nice robust vintage since there’s not much green to speak of, but great silky texture, really nice & fresh red fruit with a subtle earthy/dusty underpinning and a tart crunchy finish. Thanks for the heads up!

Glad to hear this showed well. From what I understand, La Mine is a mainly gravel site located near the Les Malgagnes vineyard in St. Nicolas de Bourgueil. Distribution of this cuvée is pretty spotty in the US; I think I’ve only had it once, from an earlier vintage.

My sense is that the 2015 vintage is ripe to the point that, while not without a sense of freshness, many wines “struggle” to show the characteristic aromas and flavors that (for better or for worse) distinguish Loire cf in most people’s eyes—very much including the herbal, leafy, “green,” etc. ones. Very good wines, but maybe a bit tame, depending on what you’re looking for.

Just had a 2018 Saumur-Champigny from Château de Parnay, Cuvée Le Blason de Parnay - 100% Cab Franc. Concentrated, warm, with a lot of extraction. Flavors leaning more towards darker fruit than classic red berries. Definitely some earthy notes and the signature pyrazines bell pepper aromas of the varietal. Medium-plus level of tannins, and grippy. A high acidity than ponderate the warmth and gives balance.
This wine was very good to drink now but has the potential to age 2 to 5 years.

This thread is incredibly helpful, thanks everyone who contributes!

This was definitely an “unchallenging” wine, but still quite delicious and you could probably peg it for a Cabernet Franc blind if you concentrated hard enough :slight_smile: . I’d be interested to try the cuvée in a more typical year - if that even exists anymore - but as someone who often has issues with pyrazine qualities in wine (green pepper is one of my least favourite flavours/foods) this was really pleasant to drink.