King's Ginger
Nicolas Joly
Les Vieux Clos Savennières Chenin Blanc 2022
“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 year ago
Pol Roger
Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill Brut Champagne 2002
No formal notes . This is more lemon yellow . Not showing much perlage . Spiced ginger bread , slightly meaty notes . With some orange rind , and brioche , dried mushroom notes . This is creamy and rich on the palate , lovely spiced yellow fruits orange peel, and brioche . Long and complete , perfect now and over the next 5 or so years. At Vinous Icons NY , Pier 60 , Feb 2025 — 2 months ago
Krug
Grande Cuvée Brut Champagne Blend
They are the King’s of Champagne for a reason.
Beautiful mousse. Both yellow & white stone fruits, tropicals, lime & lemon zest/pulp, green & red apple, cream to whipped cream, ginger skin, grey volcanics-limestone minerals, white spice, taunt chalk, baguette crust, sea fossils/foam, white spring flowers, yellow lilies, excellent acidity, balance, structure, tension & elegance for days with a finish that ends balanced on fruit & minerality.
@Delmonico Steakhouse Las Vegas — 5 months ago
Château Guiraud
Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2001
2001 vintage.
This is stunning.
Deep mahogany colour.
Ripe pineapple, honey, honey suckle and toffee.
Rich and lush with sweetness and acidity beautifully balanced. Viscous.
Marzipan, honeyed ginger, apricot and lime.
Intensity and acidity combined.
— 3 years ago
Vietti
Cascinetta Vietti Moscato d'Asti 2020
Dom Pérignon
Brut Champagne Blend 2008
Medium lemon colour . Persistent and fine perlage. This is quite restrained at first with lemon oil , toasty baked pastry and oyster shell hints . On the palate this is really quite intense , honied lemon , ginger, toasty yellow fruits , toasted nuts and quite mineral, oyster shell hints. Long and complex on the finish , fresh acidity , intense and complete . Needs a little more time, will show even better in 5 -10 years or so and over the next 10-15 years . — 5 months ago
Louis Roederer
Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 2009
Lemon yellow . Quite restrained and elegant, fine bubbles , white flowers , slightly more yellow fruits , buttered bread , pastry . On the palate , crystallised fruits , ginger , mineral , quite taut mouth feel . Lemon peel , grapefruit, touch of honey . Good acidity and mineral , chalky , steely finish . Still showing quite young , with excellent focus and good length . Drink now and over the next 10 years — a year ago
Wittmann
Morstein Großes Gewächs Riesling 2018
Peach ginger pineapple lime orange. Very pretty now but will certainly get even better. — 4 years ago
Il Censo
Praruar Terre Siciliane Catarratto 2017
Good luck pulling your attention away from the 2017 Catarratto Praruar. All it takes is one tilt of the golden-amber-colored nectar in your glass, and its exotic bouquet of sugar-dusted ginger, dried nectarines, crushed green apple, geranium and mint creates a unique yet captivating display. This is powerful and deeply textural, with a pretty inner sweetness balanced by brisk acids and tart orchard fruits, complemented by savory brown spice and a mind-bending addition of cocoa toward the close. For all of its density, the Praruar turns squeaky-clean through the finale, yet still full of lively energy, resonating on floral-tinged peaches and pears. Frankly, this is probably the most interesting interpretation of Catarratto that I’ve ever experienced; but be aware that it is unabashedly an orange-style wine, which won’t appeal to all palates. (Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2021)
— 4 years ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
Not as bad as I remember it. It’s been a while though.
Slightly, bruised pear & red & green apple, lime zest, lemon pulp, some ginger white spice w/ a touch of heat, limestone mixed in volcanic minerals, crisp chalkiness, sea spray, yeasty bread dough, yellow & white spring flowers, lively acidity and a balanced & nicely polished elegant finish that last 45 seconds and lands on volcanics.
Emirates SFO. — 22 days ago