Vatan Arena

Vatan

Toro Tinta de Toro 2020

a monster wine - big and bold. very complex, very good — a month ago

Jean Baptiste Arena

Grotte di Sole Patrimonio Vermentino 2014

Dangerously quaffable. Sweet marzipan with underlying tang. — 4 years ago

Daniel, Diane and 2 others liked this

Antoine Arena

Patrimoio Rosé 2017

Salty, crunchy, blood orange, and lemon citrus, mineral inflected attack that fans out to salt and fruit in the finish. Not for everyone but a nice change from your typical rose. — 5 years ago

Tom and Daniel P. liked this

Domaine Antoine-Marie Arena

San Giovanni Red Blend 2018

Jeremy Shanker
9.1

First time trying these varieties. What a cool wine! — 6 years ago

Ryan, Josh and 7 others liked this

Antoine Arena

Morta Maio Patrimonio Nielluccio 2015

Jeremy Shanker
9.4

Absolutely incredible wine. Corsica is WAY too overlooked! — 6 years ago

Joshua, Ben and 10 others liked this

Bodegas Tridente

Gota de Arena Tempranillo

Iza's visit at cabra — 7 years ago

Miani

Saurint Colli Orientali Del Friuli Sauvignon Blanc

Seth Morgen Long
9.6

Another stunning Saurint Sauvignon. This is up there with the likes of Dagueneau and Vatan, phenomenally crafted, concentrated and weightless, with some extra tropical minerality — 8 years ago

Keith, Ira and 6 others liked this

Edmond Vatan

Clos La Néore Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Thanks to 2 wine store owners that I became good friends with over the years I’ve had the opportunity to have a good stash of Vatan. For me Vatan is one of those wines that adheres to the cliche, “ there are no great wines just great bottles”. In this instance it was a great bottle. Intoxicating aromas of lychee, lime and florals. One of those wines you’re happy just to smell. There is no disappointment on the palate. Beautiful balance and texture, nothing out of place. Layers of concentrated fruit; mango, green almonds, star fruit and lemons. Ripe fruit that is fresh and managed by the wonderful acid. A finish you never want to end. The only flavor missing, which I often find in Vatan, is “spearmint”. — 2 months ago

Jay, Mike and 20 others liked this
Jan de Weerd

Jan de Weerd

That is special. 9.5! For a Sauv Blanc!
Ira Schwartz

Ira Schwartz Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Jan de Weerd When you have a moment read some of the notes, you will see VERY favorable reviews are very common. If I recall fellow poster @Conrad Green called Vatan the Raveneau of Sancerre. He was spot on IMO
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

GREAT pull! I think I finally finished my only stash (2002) Vatan last year.

Domaine Vatan

La Ronciere Sancerre Rouge Pinot Noir 2020

Cherry raspberry nose, fruity, fresh — 4 years ago

Michel liked this

Agnès et René Mosse

Arena Savennières Chenin Blanc 2019

Honestly I haven’t been drinking wine for a while but this has reinvigorated my interest. Mosse is underrated these days. Depth and balance and finesse beyond its price tag. — 5 years ago

Adam, Ira and 9 others liked this

Philippe Vatan

Saumur-Champigny 2017

Always a pleasure to drink. — 6 years ago

Domaine Antoine-Marie Arena

B.G Bianco Gentile 2017

Beautiful interesting Corsica wine — 6 years ago

Domaine Antoine-Marie Arena

Hauts de Carco Maceration Malvasia 2016

When Kermit Lynch tells you to re-visit the islands, you do it. #vermentino #corsicanwine — 7 years ago

Velma, Bill and 4 others liked this
Bill Bender

Bill Bender Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Trust but verify

Domaine André Vatan

Les Charmes Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc 2024

High in pyrazine. Grassy. Grapefruit. More New Zealand style than french. — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister, Tom and 1 other liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

@Pinotman /// Andreas Sorry broski. Not exactly Haut-Brion blanc. Did I mention I loathe Sancerre?
Pinotman /// Andreas

Pinotman /// Andreas

You did. Yep. I have once an aged version which had its surprises.

Domaine Antoine-Marie Arena

Hauts de Carco Patrimonio 2016

Sangiovese by way of Corsica. Somewhat earthier, spicier, more rustic. Acid a bit less and overall less polished than, say, a Tuscan Chianti. But a quite nice restrained wine. — 4 years ago

Severn, Aaron and 2 others liked this

Domaine Antoine-Marie Arena

Carco 2018

2021/12/10-11. An appealingly bright ruby, this has lots of herby cherry and some complexity from earth and a hint of spice. — 5 years ago

Richard Leroy

Les Rouliers Vin de France Chenin Blanc 2015

A reductive nose, which blew off in about 20 minutes. In the mouth you stop for a second and ask yourself, Jura? Oxidative palate yet crazy levels of freshness. A fire hose of acidity that assaults your mouth but is joined by pure fruit. Wonderful intense finish.
Like Vatan, singular and not everyone’s taste.
— 6 years ago

Tom, Max and 49 others liked this
Ira Schwartz

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@Joe Weinberger I am going to cop-out and say I do not know. I have not had enough data points to give you a well informed answer. It has the requirements to age but I have no clue what will happen. Better not sure, different probably. I have a few of these so I will let them sleep. I do have a ‘13 Les Noels that I will probably open in the next 2 to 3 years. I wish I could be more helpful.
Would be great if someone who has tasted these with some age would chime in.
@Antonio Galloni ?
P S

P S

@Joe Weinberger i’d save. Had older from Leroy and they age well.
Joe Weinberger

Joe Weinberger

@Ira Schwartz @P S thank you both for your advice—really appreciate it!

Antica Terra

Antikythera Pinot Noir

Had this bottle at the Bird Cafe in Pt Arena. They have very reasonable corkage fees. This is a very velvety dense Pinot. Loved it, so glad I started buying from winery in early 2000, think this 2014 could go another 15-20 years.
Slow to open, but lasting through the 3 hour dinner, wish bottle was bigger
— 7 years ago

Vatan Arena

Tinta de Toro 2014

The most delicious and refined super premium wine out Spain that you never heard of. A selection of the fruit from a small old vineyard plot planted over 100 years ago. Only the best will go i to Vatan Arena, and a special Wine this is. Think Bordeaux meets with early 80’s Napa and had a lovechild! If you get a chance to by some, drink some do it! I can only imagine how this beauty would age! — 8 years ago