Domaine Du Closel Château Des Vaults

Mark Haisma

Chambolle-Musigny Pinot Noir 2021

A wine that typically vanishes into the vaults of the Michelins. And to my surprise this has never been reviewed here. Mark Haisma is an Australian living close to Beaune (met him - he gave me a kiss). This guy makes world class Pinots and 10 years ago they were a good deal but those times are long over! 129$ retail. Very well executed and tuned to really show the finesses of this village (as it should be - the terroir is known for elegance). The 2021 is textbook. Pomegranate, raspberry, some cherry but not overpowering. Faint hint of oregano did he include some stems? This was risky! Tannins fully integrated and ultra refined. Worth it “oh yes”! Try it and for the rest of your life you have a reference point and your wallet will be thinner. Lucky for me the importer Jason is one of my wine buddies which helps but not much. — 4 days ago

Zach, Scott@Mister and 2 others liked this

Domaine des Baumard

Clos du Papillon Savennières Chenin Blanc 2013

No formal notes - WOTN for me. Closel I had had but Baumard takes the cake. Fabulous. Layers of flavour—stone, beautiful fruit, haunting wine. — 4 years ago

Aravind A
with Aravind
Josh, Jonathan and 24 others liked this
Aravind A

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Best Clos du Papillon I've ever had...just in a great spot. Just off-dry for my palate, but a gorgeous pairing with great company!
9.3

Domaine du Closel

Belle-Dame Chenin Blanc

Impressive — a month ago

Tripp CoxBriget Grbic
with Tripp and Briget
Tripp Cox

Tripp Cox

Extremely well-balanced with stone fruit, flint, a touch of honeycomb, and a long finish.
9.7

Domaine des Roches Neuves (Thierry Germain)

Clos Romans Saumur Chenin Blanc 2020

The 2020 version of this cuvée once again notches into my top white wines ever. Elements are in balance and working with vim and vigor. Body is full, acid is bright and crystalline but somehow tender (that’s relative - it is still scorching). And the texture is world class. The floral and confectionary perfumes that emerge in time layered over wool and slate simply steal the show.

New Year, and let’s be honest the world seems to be hurtling past the point of no return into a black hole of shit, but I’m thankful for Roches Neuves / Boudignon / Huet / Closel and the other guiding lights of Loire Chenin, making what I maintain is some of the best wine on earth and selling it for a pittance (even at $80 this is a value) Until everyone else wises up, I will just be over here with my other Chenin zealots (here’s looking at you
@Peter van den Besselaar ) nursing bottles of Saumur, Savennieres and Anjou and laughing at our good fortune. Not dry, #cheninjanuary
— 3 years ago

Andrew, Vanessa and 33 others liked this
Josh Morgenthau

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@Andrew Schirmer if have more than three bottles and are planning on tracking the progression, this can be enjoyed with a big glass and lots of air now, otherwise I’d wait a few years if you can!
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

🍀🙏 Happy New Year Josh
Andrew Schirmer

Andrew Schirmer

@Josh Morgenthau we have just 3 - will wait. @Peter van den Besselaar happy NY to you, sir!

Domaine du Closel-Château des Vaults

La Jalousie Savennières Chenin Blanc 2005

Golden hues, honey and wax and apricot in the nose , lovely and complex on the palate. 2005 vintage on June 2025 — 4 months ago

Brad Burch
with Brad

Domaine du Closel-Château des Vaults

Cuvée Spéciale Savennières Chenin Blanc 1996

Showing its age but with decent acidity left. — 9 months ago

Ira and Anthony liked this

Domaine Huet

Clos du Bourg Sec Vouvray Chenin Blanc 2019

Huet always sets a high bar and here’s another wine where the estate vaults to new heights. So floral. So much floral intrigue, it’s baroque and achingly beautiful. I don’t think any Chenin I’ve tasted has the level of floral definition of Domaine Huet’s best. And always of course just the right acid and texture, some lemon, a touch of honey and always high-toned and weightless. Effortless balance. Or rather, just plain in-service-to-the terroir, sane, zen (egoless) and restrained winemaking. — 4 years ago

Tom, Peter and 38 others liked this

Bonny Doon Vineyard

Le Cigare Volant Red Rhone Blend 2018

2018 vintage. Gets that little lift on the finish from the Mourvèdre that vaults this wine to a 9.2. Reminiscent of a few of the late ‘80’s/early 90’s vintages. A keeper. Need to cellar 3-4 bottles to trot out in 15-20 years. — 4 years ago

Ericsson, Mike and 2 others liked this