PM

9.2

Excellent lush Napa cab — 10 months ago

Fredybeans

9.3

Robe or fonce à l air car non protégé
Nez zeste d épices et de végétal
Bouche pleine et fraîche traçante l’ouvreur sur les zeste d agrume infusé
J’adore — 5 years ago

with picolator and El

Erik Nordman

9.2

Wonderfully executed, textbook Chablis. Fermentation in cuve; mix of cuve and neutral oak elevage. A wonderful example that speaks to the appellation. Tribut is a protégé of Dauvissat and I think that having studied under that kind of expertise definitely shows here. Full of verve and crackling energy while also showing a some richness and a bit fuller body from the warm vintage. Definitely would be best in a few more years but still a pleasure to drink now.

- Color: medium (-) straw-gold hue
- Nose: just-ripe yellow apple, ripe starfruit, tons of saline oyster shell quality and crushed chalk minerality, lemon pulp, Parmigiano cheese rind leesiness, heavy cream character from malo, some slight fennel spice and a touch of white florals
- Palate: ripe starfruit, lemon pulp, crushed oyster shell salinity, Parmigiano rind leesiness, heavy cream, and a slight fennel note
- Acid: high
- RS: bone dry
- Alcohol: medium (+), not hot or noticeable
- Body: medium (-)/medium, with an oily texture from elevage on lees and malolactic as well — 6 years ago

with Cassie

M. Ventre

9.4

Jedi master and his protégé. #Epiccomparisons #sinequanon #anticaterra — 8 years ago

with Daniel, Nick and 2 others

Alex Gualino

9.0

TOURAINE CHENONCEAUX
Appellation Touraine Protégé
La Bruyère - Récolte 2016

The vineyards of AOC Touraine-Chenonceaux, which include 27 municipalities, extend over a reduced area on both banks of the Cher River and are an integral part of the Loire Valley, one of the 7 European vineyards listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is also one of the Loire's most recently established appellations in the large AOC Touraine family.

Established in 2016, the AOC Touraine-Chenonceaux is named after the famous Château de Chenonceau spanning the Cher RIver. Domaine La Bruyère's 20 hectares are located on the secondary valleys of Loir-et-Cher; an array of hillside plots grounded on clay-limestone-siliceous soils mixed with a layer of flint (known as Perruches), which take advantage of the micro-climate of the Cher Valley by showing good complexity and stylistically sitting between Sancerre and Brouilly.

Pierre Chainier source classic Loire varietal wines, as well as owning some excellent properties throughout the region. For both elements of their wine business, they look to principles of agriculture raisonné alongside the most modern wine-making techniques. Within Touraine, they have significant vineyard holdings and 7 domaines, including Domaine de La Bruyère in this newly established appellation of Touraine-Chenonceaux. Conversely, Clos de Nouys, their 25 acre estate, is one of the oldest in the AOC Vouvray. Here vines average 35 years of age and Clos de Nouys' parcels of vines were already listed among the best sites on geological maps dating from 1907.

Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes (they also grow Sauvignon Rose), their Touraine-Chenonceaux Blanc is the result of a rigorous selection process, both of parcels at harvest and of particular cuvées. Vines are cultivated following the principles of sustainable agriculture. The final wine rests on lees for six months before bottling. With its clear robe of golden hues, fresh and round on the palate, this white wine reveals aromas of citrus with notes of white, buttery flowers. An intense citrus nose: candied lemon and orange, developing into apricot and lime, about to turn into brioches. Beautifully fresh and vibrant, once chilled, it will perfectly partner with white meat dishes, fish and seafood (including Sushi) or goat cheese. Or depart from traditional Sauvignon pairings and try with exotic and intense flavors, such as Tagines or Indian Curries. — 5 years ago

with Mark

Chad Henderson

8.9

Nose of tart cherries. Taste is very peppery, oak and leather. Dry finish. — 6 years ago

with Kristen

Robert Torretti

9.2

Still young but has mellowed a bit in the last seven years. I had some of Guillaume Gilles's earlier vintages and he is a great student and protégé of Robert Michel. Very fragrant nose. Deep red brick color. Still high tannins, but mellowing. Would like to meet this bottle in five and then 10 year's time. — 8 years ago

Neal Krishna Devaraj

9.1

Excellent. Floral notes and a touch of citrus. At Protégé. — 5 years ago

Ron R

9.6

So good on Boxing Day, we had to come back and take another look. It’s as black as the night in the glass. I understand from research that the winemaker is a Bevan protégé, and while this wine has its own uniqueness, there are commonalities. Brilliant presentation, and in comparison to Bevan, this represents a good value. On the palate, this is dense and weighty. The fruit profile is ultra ripe and focused. Cassis everywhere, along with figs and coffee. I must try her pinot next, and would like to meet the winemaker one day. We are blessed to be able to enjoy wines like these at this time of year...
One of my best buds just lost his dad. I’m raising a glass to him and his family tonight. — 5 years ago

with Anne-marie

Al Shikoh

9.2

Straw colored. White peach, grapefruit, and freshly cut grass are evident on the nose with modest oak influence. Very crisp acidity on the palate with slightly creamy texture and 14.1% alcohol. Made by Michel Roland protégé Benoit Touquette with most of the fruit coming from the Farella vineyard in the Coombsville AVA, this is Realm's only white wine and a great example of the potential of Sauvignon Blanc in the Napa Valley. — 7 years ago

with Lisa and Kelly