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

Scott Kahn

9.2

Enjoyable floral notes in the bouquet complement the rich minerality and hints of Asian pear on the palette. Wonderful wine to start a meal! — 3 years ago

Brian S

9.2

This is a very funky wine, similar to a Joly Chenin. Yellow apples, pear, orange, lemon, tangerine, beeswax. — 4 years ago

with Ellie

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

Jay Kline

9.5

Popped and poured, consumed over several hours. Initially served chilled and then allowed to come up to room temperature. It should be noted that this was lovely from the first pour but improved with air and as it warmed. The 2009 Domaine du Collier Saumer Blanc pours a bright golden color, with no signs of sediment or gas. High viscosity. On the nose, this is extremely floral…like being in a grove of magnolia trees in full bloom. The flowers are accompanied by bright citrus fruit, lanolin, alfalfa and honey. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. The notes from the bouquet are confirmed and accompanied by the most lovely, almost oily texture. This is oh so woolly! The finish goes long. This is my first experience with Antoine’s wine and I’m now absolutely smitten (thanks Tim). A simply gorgeous example of Chenin from a warm vintage and an alternative to Joly if you crave a natural touch…but not too natural. This is a banger now and will continue to be so for some time. Wow.
— 2 years ago

Krishna

9.7

Naked wines — 4 years 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

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2018 vintage. — 3 years ago

Andrew Bryan

9.5

Beautiful Naked Wines bottle, favourite one we have had from them — 3 years ago

Erik Sjolund

9.4

A great, yet kinda simple CB. My kind w the tropix but also wool n almost waxiness. Demands a little air but saved us from a corked Joly (1996). — 4 years ago