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! 🥂🥂🥂
— a month ago

with Deked1

Tom Kobylarz

9.5

Medium lemon yellow. The nose is med+ and rises easily from the glass with fresh notes of mineral stones, lanolin, salinity, and mixed fresh orchard fruits. The palate is med/med+ bodied, with mouthwatering and perfectly integrated acidity. The flavors cascade over the palate with energy and depth into a long, persistent finish. — 3 months 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. — 23 days ago

romo

9.4

WotN. Elusive power and structure come at you late in the game for a fantastic finish. A revelatory Savenierres for me. — 2 months ago

TH

9.3

ロワールのシュナンブラン。薄い黄色だが、熟したリンゴの香りと味わい。少しのスモーキーさとアルコールの厚みがあるものの、丸みのあるエクスチャー@winery 5080 incl tax — 3 months ago

James Everhart

8.9

drunk in 2024, lacks bit of intensity, but still a good savennieres. 2020 vintage for $32. — 4 months ago

Steve Ford

9.0

I was a long time ago, but it was a great value for money. — a year ago

Ronnie Sanders

Owner/Importer Vine Street Imports

9.3

From magnum — 23 days ago

Doug Powers

9.1

Crisp, super clean and refreshing, dry Chenin Blanc, looks and tastes like a 5-year-old Loire, relatively rich as well, this is (I think?) Baumard’s entry-level Savennieres, and this vintage is quite outstanding!! — 2 months ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

9.0

So, dry Savennieres from Baumard, the famed Trie Speciale, Chenin Blanc, color is orange, showing its age, but still lovely fruit, citrus, dried apricot, not really sweet, but solid Savennieres!! — 5 months ago

with Jim