A friend is currently in Santander, Spain and annoyingly posting all kinds of envy-inducing food and wine photos. I just had to open something that would deliver on pop’n’pour after getting home from work. Mission accomplished, this is a bitchin’ bottle of Chenin. Vintages matter and probably I didn’t go deep enough in 2021 in Loire based on this and a couple of others. Thrilling stuff.
2021 Domaine de la Taille aux Loups Vin de France Cuvée Parcellaire Monopole Bretonnière - France, Loire Valley, Vin de France (23.4.2026)
A very savory, salty nose with classic Chenin notes of agrumes, beeswax and wool. It has this slight nostril-stinging effect that I like. On the palate it has no lack of richness nor ripeness to it but thanks to the moderate 12.5% ABV and high acidity it comes off as energetic, vibrant and lifted. It has pretty ideal proportions actually and while approachable seems to be destined for a relatively long life in the cellar. The palate sports even more salinity than the nose and has that classic ”like sucking on a stone” feel to it. There is also some proper grip and tension and overall this gives a vibe of a wine of significance. I’ve enjoyed many wines from Blot but this just might be the best wine yet.
From the dry whites, I have tried the Mosny, Bretonnière and Hochet. I have been particularly impressed by both the Mosny and Bretonnière. But to be honest, I’ve found it difficult to separate the bottlings in terms of quality. Have you come to an impression of how the different cuvées contrast?
I mean I don’t think I have tasted nearly enough to come to any kind of meaningful conclusions but I too have enjoyed the bottlings you mention the most. Certainly vintages seem to play a role as well so without tasting several vintages of any one bottling I find it hard to say anything definitive. Of the lower level Remus bottling I’ve tried a couple of vintages and was blown away by the cooler (based on the 12% ABV) 2013 vintage at age 5. Perfect balance and electric acidity, top shelf dry Chenin.
Unlike other cities, it doesn’t have a central old town area, and we struggled to find better restaurants over tourist traps. But the coastal areas are quite nice! This was the view from our hotel room
