Mike Evans

9.5

Great depth and complexity, red fruit with a touch of pyrazine, elegant and outstanding. — 21 days ago

Vanessa

9.2

“Nothing added, nothing removed” is a phrase some use to describe the philosophy of low-intervention (or “natural”) winemaking. 🌱

The winemaker is like a vessel, carrying Mother Nature’s gifts from the land (and vintage) to your glass, where each sip can transport you to a particular place and time.

Nicolas Joly is an illustrious vigneron revered for his deep commitment to biodynamics and minimal intervention winemaking. 👏 He leads his family’s estate – Famille Joly – located in the prestigious appellation of Savennières in the Anjou-Saumur region of Loire Valley and specializes in top quality, cerebral, age-worthy dry whites made from the Chenin Blanc grape.

This takes patience, strength, and resilience for which the seahorse is a spiritual symbol (among other things). 🌊 It’s no wonder the Famille Joly features this beautiful, gentle creature on its bottle and labels.

This wine comes from ‘Les Vieux Clos’ where vines are harvested at 25 hL/ha which is HALF of the appellation’s allowance of 50 hL/ha.  👀

As a result of favorable growing conditions and these low yields, the grapes were allowed to become ripe, which explains the high alcohol at 14% ABV and round but balanced fruit expression.

This wine underwent a wild fermentation, followed by a natural malolactic conversion (MLC), and then it aged 12 months in large neutral oak with no fining or filtering before bottling.

The color is pale gold. On the nose and palate are harmonious notes of yellow apple, quince, papaya, dried orange peel, citrus blossom, chamomile, ginger, saffron, cinnamon, cream, white pepper, lanolin, wet slate …

It has power and elegance, nuance and vibrancy, with a persistent finish.  We think it pairs nicely with the baked herb & lemon salmon, asparagus and couscous.

Cheers to winemakers who share a piece of their land and heritage with the world one glass at a time! 🥂🥂🥂
— a month ago

with Deked1

Tor Kenward

9.2

So good with 20 plus years of bottle age. — 19 hours ago

Paul Masson

9.3

One of the best in the game. But may cause heartburn — 18 days ago

Steve Ford

9.0

I was a long time ago, but it was a great value for money. — a year ago

Doug Powers

9.4

Forest floor, some leather aromas and flavors, lovely, crisp redfruited core, great acidity and balance, long, lingering finish, great juice!! — 10 days ago

with Jim

Rob Mullen

9.2

Accompanied a cheese course this evening, delivering just the right level of sweetness. Holding its own, with some quite prominent apple and touch of honey. — a day ago

Adam Gäfvert

9.1

Full bodied and botrytised dry-ish Grand cru chenin. Very aromatic and fruity. Some nice texture and a touch of funk. — a month ago

romo

9.3

Consistent notes. Maybe a bit darker but still lithe and copper-y. — 24 days ago

romo

9.2

A bit macerated comes off as sweet, but the markers for textbook chenin are clear. — a month ago