Erik Nordman

9.3

Textbook, classic Vouvray from one of the most classic, storied estates in the appellation. Walks a perfect tightrope between rich, waxy density and nimble freshness. This is what I'd use to show someone new to the Loire what high-quality, classic dry Loire Chenin is supposed to taste like. These 2014 Huet secs are really banging on all cylinders. Pours a medium (-)/medium intensity yellow gold hue. Highly concentrated nose of ripe, slightly oxidized green apple and apricot, smoky, crushed flint minerality, fresh lychee, waxy honeycomb, wet wool, and some savory aged cheese rind leesiness. On the palate, (slightly less) ripe, waxy stone fruit, slightly oxidized Anjou pear juice, raw honey, wet stone, savory leesiness, and lychee. High acid, medium (-)/medium body with lovely lush leesy texture. Alcohol is medium/medium (+) but totally in balance and not hot at all on the palate. Dry but not what something I'd describe as "bone dry" though. Has a long life ahead of it if you want to cellar it, but still so tasty and generous enough in its youth as well. Really satisfying , electric stuff. 🍏🍐🍑🍯⚡️ — 5 days ago

Liz O'Neal

9.0

The adventure continues -- trying new wines this weekend. Pear, lemon notes on the front, orange citrus notes on the of back. Soft herbal note on the nose -- sage? Medium acid that trails off pretty quick. Nice wet clay & earthy tones from the lees — 7 days ago

Marc Stubblefield

Wine Sales at Vino Carta and Kogod Wine Merchant

8.9

Too young? Vintage effects? First time with this much ballyhooed producer and I was underwhelmed. A little soft and a little four-square. Tasty, but didn't meet my expectations. — 6 days ago

Erik Nordman

9.1

Whoa, this is some pretty impressive domestic Chenin! Probably the first one I've had from the US that was really to my tastes. Great classic Chenin-y honeyed richness. Honestly not too dissimilar from a decent Savennieres but it doesn't feel like it's trying to *be* Loire Chenin either. Pours a pale to medium (-) gold hue. Medium (+) concentration of aromatics of ripe, slightly bruised peach and green apple, an almost smoky crushed stone minerality, waxy honeycomb, savory leesiness, and wet wool. On the palate, again there's (slightly less) ripe and slightly bruised peach and green apple, with this addition of a slight preserved lime edge. More minerality, waxy honeycomb, and savory leesiness round out the midpalate and finish. Medium (+) to high acidity, medium (-) body with supple, slightly oily texture, pretty much dry but with maybe the slightest bit of balancing RS? It's almost hard to tell if it's even there because it's so subtle. Medium (+) alcohol that comes across a little hot but not too distractingly so. Some pretty enjoyable stuff here. — 7 days ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.5

Open for business right on the pop. Aromatics show a freshly cut, perfectly ripe pear which doesn't relent. Wonderfully balanced palate with rich fruit & nervy acidity. Shows nuances of smoke and spice, but is hard to track those as it is amazingly easy to drink and doesn't last long. — 6 days ago

Henrik Poulsen

8.9

12.1% alc.

Another really nice QPR from Grocery Outlet.
I don't recall the price but it must have been around $5.

Punching way above the modest price tag this is nice clean crisp while kept on the off-dry side (I'm guessing RS around 6-8 g/L).
In a blind tasting I could easily have guessed Riesling Kabinett....

@Delectable Wine
Chenin Blanc — 12 days ago

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.1

Super clean with bright minerality. Really opens up after about a half hour and starts showing some amazing chenin character. Great stuff — 16 days ago

Erik Nordman

9.3

Another gem from Chidaine. Such a rich, powerful Chenin. This is a richer demi-sec style, and it shows Francois has just as deft a hand with his sweeter wines as he does with his dry bottlings. Slight but noticeable botrytis influence. Highly concentrated, rich, intoxicating nose of orange marmalade, alfalfa honey and beeswax, brandy-poached peaches and pears in cardamom whipped cream, wet flint, and wooly lanolin. On the palate, the fruit character is similar, pears and stone fruit, but simply fresh and ripe vs the poached fruit character on the nose. An extra shot of flinty mineral intensity, alfalfa honey, and beeswax round on the long finish. Lovely complexity and richness without quite becoming cloying. Pours a medium (-)/medium intensity gold hue. High acid, medium-bodied with a lovely oily, rich texture from lees and RS. Off-dry in the demi-sec/tendre style. Medium (+)/high alcohol, but it's integrated enough, there's the tiniest bit of heat but still totally tolerable. Starting to round out a bit with age but I'd say it's definitely got a bit more to go before it's at peak, still showing relatively young. Would love to have this with some spicy Indian or Thai food. So tasty and opulent. — 12 days ago

Samvel Simonyants

9.1

05/VIII/2017
На старте нота мясного бульона, быстро проходящая. Свежий нос с оттенками лимона, талька, сырого миндаля. В развитии растительный тон, ванильная пудра. Среднетелое, строгий вкус цитрусов, красного яблока, имбиря. Высокая долгая кислотность, сверхлёгкая сладость, хорошо сбалансированный алкоголь. «Универсальное» вино: способно увлечь и неофита, и знатока. 17/20 — 12 days ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.8

Richly fruited, yet showing plenty of acidic structure. Fresh apple & pear aromatics which follow all the way to the back of the palate. Virtually weightless on the mid palate, but loaded with complex textural notes accenting the sappy-ish fruit. A masterpiece. — 13 days ago