Stephen Heyman

9.6

fuck it im all loire in ‘24 — 4 months ago

Alex Gualino

9.0

TOURAINE CHENONCEAUX
Appellation Touraine Protégé
La Bruyère - Récolte 2016

The vineyards of AOC Touraine-Chenonceaux, which include 27 municipalities, extend over a reduced area on both banks of the Cher River and are an integral part of the Loire Valley, one of the 7 European vineyards listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is also one of the Loire's most recently established appellations in the large AOC Touraine family.

Established in 2016, the AOC Touraine-Chenonceaux is named after the famous Château de Chenonceau spanning the Cher RIver. Domaine La Bruyère's 20 hectares are located on the secondary valleys of Loir-et-Cher; an array of hillside plots grounded on clay-limestone-siliceous soils mixed with a layer of flint (known as Perruches), which take advantage of the micro-climate of the Cher Valley by showing good complexity and stylistically sitting between Sancerre and Brouilly.

Pierre Chainier source classic Loire varietal wines, as well as owning some excellent properties throughout the region. For both elements of their wine business, they look to principles of agriculture raisonné alongside the most modern wine-making techniques. Within Touraine, they have significant vineyard holdings and 7 domaines, including Domaine de La Bruyère in this newly established appellation of Touraine-Chenonceaux. Conversely, Clos de Nouys, their 25 acre estate, is one of the oldest in the AOC Vouvray. Here vines average 35 years of age and Clos de Nouys' parcels of vines were already listed among the best sites on geological maps dating from 1907.

Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes (they also grow Sauvignon Rose), their Touraine-Chenonceaux Blanc is the result of a rigorous selection process, both of parcels at harvest and of particular cuvées. Vines are cultivated following the principles of sustainable agriculture. The final wine rests on lees for six months before bottling. With its clear robe of golden hues, fresh and round on the palate, this white wine reveals aromas of citrus with notes of white, buttery flowers. An intense citrus nose: candied lemon and orange, developing into apricot and lime, about to turn into brioches. Beautifully fresh and vibrant, once chilled, it will perfectly partner with white meat dishes, fish and seafood (including Sushi) or goat cheese. Or depart from traditional Sauvignon pairings and try with exotic and intense flavors, such as Tagines or Indian Curries. — 5 years ago

with Mark

Jakub Kalinowski

8.9

A rich, floral aroma with yellow stone fruit, some acacia honey. On the palate is quite broad, with exotic sweet fruit & (again) honey, grapefruit-like juicy acidity, and a salty, herbal finish.
This is a lovely, (off)dry Chenin that overdelivers. Worked amazingly well with a freshly smoked, still warm, mackerel. — 4 years ago

Corey Clark

9.2

Amazing rose — 7 years ago

Laurie Ison

8.9

Well balanced off dry wine. — 8 years ago

Jon-David Headrick

9.9

If Chambolle could make Cabernet Franc... — 10 years ago

Jan van de Ree

8.9

Nice sweet beautifully balanced by its acidity. Still very alive and kicking. — 4 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.1

Drink at cellar temp so the nuances can say hello. From a few years in bottle, there is an underlying richness and weight to this Sec. Yellow orchard fruits, graham cracker crust, baked stone fruit, and citrus. — 5 years ago

Jennifer

9.3

Easy drinking Italian wine on this Christmas Eve Eve. Great minerality and bits of honey when it's warm which is nice. Everything you expect from an Italian white in my opinion. — 7 years ago