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! 🥂🥂🥂
— 24 days ago

with Deked1

Ted

9.2

Awesome wine. Juicy with mouthwatering acidity. — 2 months ago

with Jeni

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. — 19 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

No formal notes . Medium garnet Ruby. Quite floral still , light red fruits, cherry . Sweet fruits on the palate but quite tannic still , with refreshing and bright acidity . Quite a big wine on the palate , with darker fruits. Intense with good length . Starting to drink well from now , and over the next 10 years I would imagine — a month ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.1

Tito yuca aaron wero andrian dany gtz — a month ago

Ted

9.1

Delicious to the last drop. Better the colder it gets. — 2 months ago

with Jeni

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

In a good spot with room to improve. Beautiful texture, mousse, micro beaded.

Notes of Honeycomb and butterscotch. Both yellow & white peaches, nectarines, tropical melons, pineapple, understated lemon, cream, baguette, beautiful fine chalky powder, saline notes, sea spray, yellow & spring flowers, excellent soft acidity and a well made elegant, smartly polished finish that lasts nearly two-minutes.

Another 15-20 years here of quality sipping. — 11 days ago

Stuart Pollack

9.2

Well-balanced Champagne with elegant fruit balanced with brioche. — 22 days 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. — a month ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

Nose: pink roses.

Palate: so fresh. Pink rose juice. Elegant blackberries. Still young. Silky tanins. — 3 months ago