PERRET
2018 Roussette de Savoie Altesse Coeur d’Altesse Sélection Perret
Perret is functioning here as a producer (apparently there also is a negociant business). This grape, made from the grape known as Roussette or Altesse, is innocuous with some apple fruit in a medium-weight body with out much structure, depth, or energy. 12% stated alcohol. 85/C
André et Michel QUENARD
There is no shortage of producers named Quenard in the Savoie, so check your labels closely.
2018 Savoie Chignin
This wine is from the Jacquère grape, which I find mostly yields wines lacking in character; but not the case here. From 20-60 year-old vines on limestone scree, this wine is juicy with a medium-weight body, decent acidity, and attractive, honey and slightly-underripe yellow fruits. The acidity is lively enough to make this wine useful either as an aperitif or with fish and poultry. 12% stated alcohol. Nomacorc closure. 88/A
2017 Vin de Savoie Chignin-Bergeron
This wine is from the Roussanne grape (known locally as Bergeron). It is medium-weight with a nice acidic cut underlying the spicy apricot fruit. 13% stated alcohol. Lot L 11+9. 88/B+
2017 Savoie Chignin Gamay
This is a bright and refreshing wine with strawberries and some blue fruits supported by good acidity. It is simple, but attractive. Synthetic cork, so drink young.12.5% stated alcohol. 87/A-
2018 Savoie Chignin Gamay
A smooth, dark-fruited wine with light salinity and some umami, but nothing to make it really stand out. Nomacorc closure. 13.5% stated alcohol. 86/B
2018 Savoie Arbin Mondeuse Terres Brunes
Mondeuse bears some relationship to Syrah (the exact nature is still not completely clear), but the result here is an expression not unlike Syrah with mineral dark fruits, a smooth texture, medium-full body, and sufficient tannins and balance to provide for aging well over a decade. Cork closure. 12.5% stated alcohol. 90/A
Jean-François QUENARD
2019 Savoie Chignin
Light-bodied, clear, fairly neutral in flavor with good acidity bite. Nomacorc closure. 11.5% stated alcohol. 87/A-
Château de RIPAILLE
2019 Savoie Ripaille
This wine is all Chasselas from an ancient estate near the shores of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman). This is the best wine from here that I can recall drinking: it is refreshing, light in body, and has lemon and almond aromas and flavors with a smooth texture and a little bite on the finish. Cork closure. 12% stated alcohol. 88/A
Domaine SAINT-GERMAIN
2017 Savoie Persan
Persan is a grape indigenous to the French and Italian Alp wine-growing regions that had almost ceased to exist but has recently been making a comeback. This wine has a medium-weight body, plenty of tannin, and strong cassis aromas and flavors. Serve it cool as you would a Beaujolais. Not an estate wine, but certified organic. 12% stated alcohol. 87/A-