MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.0

Very smooth and the acidity was very soft and well balanced. It’s a champagne that you can drink a lot of. — 5 days ago

Shay A

9.3

Every time I have a wine from Pierre Gonon, I know it’s going to hit every note I’m looking for. These wines are absolutely delicious and are exactly what I love to drink.

First time with a slightly older bottle of Iles Feray and I’d say this is in the perfect zone. Very much in the vein of the StJo with the dark florals and herbal aromatics (just stemmy enough to show it’s there, but not as much as the StJo). Peppered raspberries and blackberries, green stems on the mid-palate. Great texture/weight. Granite and iron show early on. Tannin structure is in the middle ground…holds everything together but isn’t a beast. Not as layered as the StJo, but still so enjoyable to drink when wanting a beautiful, pure expression of Syrah.

Followed over a few days and stayed consistent. I’d buy a bunch of this if prices for these wines weren’t as high as they’ve been the last few years. — 24 days ago

Doug Griffin

9.2

Apple, butter, earth and some sticks — 16 days ago

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 months ago

with Deked1

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.5

Gonon always succeeds in creating stunning Syrah’s from his granite soils. Wine is amazingly alive and totally in balance. — 4 days ago

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. — a month ago

romo

9.2

Additional 3-5 years in your cellar will do wonders. Classic sh!t. — a month ago

Mario Zillner

9.5

June 2024 disgorgement; would’ve preferred to pop this +12 months (vs. 6), as it would certainly benefit from some time. A grower BdB favorite; of course made from 100% Chardonnay, coming from several Grand Cru villages in the Côte des Blancs. The Cuvée de Réserve is a blend of more than twenty vintages, dating back to 1988 (via the solera method)! Peters considers this their “flagship” champ, even at the NV price point.

Firm upfront with a rather long finish. Sharp acidity; strong lemon, pale stone fruit, orange zest, and young tangerine notes. Medium body with pillows to carry you through. Steel vs. wood. 12% ABV. Simply delicious. — 10 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The 22 Burgundies are as good as advertised. Maybe, better.

Time in the bottle will tame the lemon in this bottle. It needs it.

Green & golden apple, Meyer lemon to chiffon, lime pulp, overripe pineapple juice, white stone fruits, tropical melons, cream, saline, sea fossils, chalky pulp, limestone pulp, light caramel notes, honeycomb, cream, spring flowers, excellent viscosity & round acidity, elegance, round lush balanced finish that lasts a full minute. Even better in 3-5 years. One of the best Bourgogne’s I’ve had to date.

Merry Christmas! 🎅🎄🎁 ❄️ ⛄️ — 15 days ago

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