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

Matt Perlman

9.3

Still a little closed, needs some time or significant air but tremendous purity and whole cluster structure, red fruit driven with rose petals, wet earth and leaves, a touch of smoke and stony limestone character aplenty — 7 months 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. — 23 days ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.4

Outstanding, showing primary and tertiary 50/50, lovely yellow and white fruits, salinity, some oxygen taking hold, florals, lanolin, and excellent acidity drives this into a long, complex finish. — 5 months ago

Gage Orion

9.0

So good to be drinking this bottle again… the 2014 vintage was what started my obsession with French Bordeaux’s year ago. Glad to report this is still a fantastic bottle! Fruity and well balanced. Tannic and fruity. I just love this wine and will continue buying it, for the price it’s a great R bank Bordeaux. #nostalgia #bordeaux — 7 months ago

Richard Poulin

9.1

This Gamay looks like a Cabernet Franc as it is so tightly wrapped in a fruity coat. But at taste the suppleness of the fabric immediately betrays it and tells you straightforwardly about Gamay, the better to invite you to even more festivities. A little sunny summer jewel in the heart of a winter.. Happy, fresh. Easy. Red-fruited with raspberry and strawberry, no noticeable tannin, but a finish. — 3 years ago

Rudi Sanchez-Colberg

9.6

Fruta negra, todavia muy fresco para sus 23 años, taninos presentes, posgusto lasrgoooo… — a month ago

Baris Borahan

9.1

Sevinçle evde 30.08.2024 fena değil — 4 months ago

Christopher Achorn

9.0

Rich with a mild wood or nutty flavor. Full body. — 7 months ago

Chris Miles

9.2

Delicious, a nice spice finish — 2 years ago