Pascal JANVIER
2017 Coteaux du Loir Cuvée du Rosier
Normally, I love Janvier’s red from Pineau d’Aunis, but this wine is different from any earlier version that I’ve tried. The differences begin with the highly-transparent red color, indistinguishable from a darker-colored rosé and not like the deeper red of earlier versions. In the nose and mouth, there’s very little varietal characteristic (edgy white pepper, red fruits). 11.5% stated alcohol. Lot L 05. 83/D
Henry MARIONNET/MARIONNET Père & Fils
2017 Touraine Renaissance
This wine is from old, ungrafted Gamay vines and has no sulfur added. The wine is fresh with spicy dark fruit and is medium-weight. There’s a smooth texture. No great complexity, but lots of immediacy and good intensity. 13% stated alcohol. 90/A
2018 Touraine Gamay Domaine de la Charmoise Terroir des Silices
This is a fresh, concentrated Gamay with dark fruits, a medium-weight body, and good depth. Lot L.200. 13% stated alcohol. 88/A-
2018 Touraine Gamay L’Enclos des Charmes
Dark fruits, some density and good freshness; not quite as energetic as the Terroir des Silices above. 12.5% stated alcohol. 87/B+
2018 Touraine Première Vendange
This is a no-sulfur-added Gamay from Marionnet. It is rich and round with ripe dark fruits and a smooth texture, plus some minerality. 13% stated alcohol. 91/A
Domaine PELLÉ
2017 Menetou-Salon Morogues
An excellent example of Pinot Noir with a medium-weight body, salinity, and red fruits. With round tannins, this wine drinks well now. 12.5% stated alcohol. 89/A
Domaine PREYS
2016 Valençay Cuvée Prestige
Jacky Preys, now working with his son Pascal, has long been recognized as one of the leading sources of Valençay. This attractive combination of Pinot Noir and Gamay has roses and red cherries with a smooth texture. Serve cool. For very little money, you get a very good value. 12% stated alcohol. Lot L 18310. 87/A
Domaine de la ROCHE BLEUE/Sébastien CORNILLE
Certified organic.
2017 Coteaux du Loir La Guinguette
This wine is a mixture of 80% Pineau d’Aunis and 20% Gamay, and the characteristics of both grapes are reflected. The stony white pepper and rose notes and austerity of texture trace back to the Pineau d’Aunis and the sensual red cherry fruits to the Gamay. As such, it’s an intellectual wine, more interesting to those fully into wine geekdom than to the casual drinker, but it does provide pleasure, especially with substantial airing. 12% stated alcohol. Lot L G 17. 87/B+
2018 Coteaux du Loir La Belle d’Aunis
This wine, entirely from Pineau d’Aunis, is a little atypical for that grape, but still very attractive. This wine is round and has plenty of pleasing cranberry and red currant fruit to go with a smooth body, good intensity, and good depth. But anyone looking for Pineau d’Aunis edginess and white pepper will be disappointed. 12.5% stated alcohol. 88/A-