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! 🥂🥂🥂
— 2 days ago

with Deked1

Norman Gennaro

9.1

It’s nice but not as dynamic as I was anticipating/hoping — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.6

Chilled and opened about an hour before dinner and allowed to gently come to temp. Served alongside charcoal grilled Thai sausage, sticky rice, coconut Thai curry, herb salad, shallot, lime, garlic, chiles. Tonight, this bottle was nothing short of remarkable. A deep golden color with gorgeous notes of squishy tropical fruit, white flowers, and turmeric. Wooly and waxy with acid for dayzzz. Stunning now but this bottle would show well through 2029 without breaking a sweat. — 24 days ago

Ted

9.1

Delicious to the last drop. Better the colder it gets. — a month ago

with Jeni

Mark S.

9.0

Fresh fruity acidic ample aroma. Herbaceous. Green apple. etienne daulny sancerre. 21 @8250(5020), HMKD, 241014 — a month ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Hard not to go 94 here but with some time in cellar.

All the 22’s I’ve had to this point, stunning!

This is another amazing wine on entry. Elegant and all you expect and more at the level. Granny Smith apple, lime flesh w/ pith & zest, pineapple juice, white peach, tropical green melon, paraffin, waxy, excellent chalky powder, white spice, limestone powder, field of spring white flowers framed in jasmine, perfect acidity and a beautiful, well made & balanced finish that lasts nearly two-minutes and lands on chalk & spice. — 2 months ago

Karyn Fricke

9.0

Aromas of soft citrus and peach with hints of minerals. Crisp acidity, good with roasted carrots, potatoes and chicken. Clean refreshing finish and a good value. — 18 days ago

GaryWEdwards

9.6

Youthful but still remarkable! Wow and by the glass at the club — a month ago

Emanuel Reitano

8.9

Would buy again under $35. Good mouth feel. Oxidative character on the nose, smells like the crust of an apple galette that’s been brushed with egg wash, or an undercooked challah french toast. Delicate bluish and greenish purples pop from the pale gold backdrop. Pretty tight bubbles but could be tighter. Could be dryer. Could be more acidic. If this had more minerality I’d love it. — a month ago

Alan Weinberg

9.1

Ah, as it should be. — 2 months ago