Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Les Charmes Blanc 2018
A spontaneous buy at a local supermarket. A superb dry Chenin somewhere in the middle of the rich ↔ austere spectrum, assertive, bright and bouncy.
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Scant availability in the USA; I assume that’s why it’s rarely ever mentioned here.
Domaine Eric Louis Sancerre Pauline 2020
A gentle, elegant interpretation.
Chamomile, greengage, bitter almonds. And some unusual flavors (raised in acacia wood, apparently).
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I am powerless to keep my hands off these. Was thrilled to see K&L put the remainder of their inventory on clearance recently – apparently I am on an island w/r/t this wine, or nobody is listening to me — either way, fine by me, so long as they keep getting brought in!
2023 Domaine de Gaubourg Anjou Grand Pierre - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Anjou (7/6/2026)
– popped and poured –
Pale yellow color. Mouthwatering salty pear aroma. Not surprisingly, green pears and plenty of salty mineral on the palate. Another great bottle.
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Must not have been paying attention, gone now.
I have an alert setup on their site to let me know if/when they get more. I’ll send you a PM alerting you if/when that happens, if I remember to do so; I’ll try. … Alternatively, I would be quite pleased to open one in a lineup of nice Loire Chenin shall you and your better half find your way down to LAla land. 
Have you had many of the Taille Aux Loups wines? I bought them for a while, then took a break, but every time I open one I’m happy.
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Have not had many. Have not had any! Assuming you know my Loire proclivities, do you think it would be up my alley? I do see them around somewhat frequently.
Definitely worth a try.
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Drinking a 2023 as we speak.
Very fine, with a pleasant bitter finish, but it could use a bit more bite.
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Sounds good. But I think 2024 is my vintage to buy Loire chenin, have been very pleased with everything thus far (haven’t seen the full Ogereau lineup available), and it looks like 2025 and 2026 will be on the ripe side as well, so who knows when we will next get that bite!
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2022 Vallée Moray Montlouis-sur-Loire Cailloutis
Somewhat reductive upon opening. Sesame, lime and green apple. The mouth is long and the acidity is lively. Dominant notes include unripe pear, honeymelon, and elderflower. Quite a pleasurable discovery. It’s the first Vallee I break into from my own stash and I quite like what I see here, although I have to say that the Aubepine I tried at a trade tasting was very good.
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Pierre Ménard Anjou La Varenne de Chanzé 2023
The nose is promising - honey, orange peel, honeysuckle and white peach. On the palate, a delicate blend of pears, honey and lemon, with some mineral notes on the finish. It’s good, but slightly underwhelming, the fruit lacks a bit of zip, there isn’t the acidic bite of the 21 to give it more tension, so it’s a bit soft in the middle. Enjoyable, but after a similarly unexciting 2022, I’m not sure I’ll bother getting his 2024s. I don’t think that Anjous in general did all that well in 2023. 90 pts
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Is this a new cuvée? I don’t think I’ve ever seen it before, and can’t find much info on it.
Yes. I don’t know exactly when it was acquired.
The new bottles besides this are Trente-Deux, which is also has a classic chenin profile. La Rosée, which is demi-sec like d’un Jour, which I don’t really get— why two sweet rosés in the lineup? While Les Vieilles Vignes des Blanderies previously often had some sweetness, the ones I tried from Martial didn’t. So right now the only cuvee that has the sweetness is Bonnezeaux Coteau du Houet.
2023 Huet Le Haut-Lieu Sec still a bit riper rounder than I’d prefer but it is nonetheless a very well made wine showing a nose of white flowers, baked apple, and honey, and a layered and deep palate of spiced, golden toned orchard fruits with a medium to full bodied, satiny texture. Acidity just a touch lower than I’d like, call it just shy of medium.
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Thanks for that. So you’re keeping the faith on future evolution?
Put it this way - if I had had a chance to taste before buying I’m not sure I woulda bought, but I’m not going to go through the hassle of selling them (particularly given how hard you get it in the shorts trying to move a $40 bottle of wine at auction). I hope they’ll shed some fat and tighten up a little with some time in bottle, but even if they don’t they’re still tasty even though suboptimal - just want to be paired with richer foods I’d say.
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