Nicolas Joly
Clos de la Coulée de Serrant Savennières Chenin Blanc
Savennières, Anjou-Saumur, Loire Valley, France
A buddy brought out this bottle of 2010 Clos de la Coulée de Serrant to help toast a great achievement this past weekend. One can probably imagine my excitement as I’m a massive fan of these wines by Nicolas Joly. However, I feel compelled to admit that these wines are not for everyone. They vary wildly from one vintage to the next and there can often be quite a bit of bottle variation to boot. None of this has swayed me from my position; that these are amongst the most exciting, singular expressions of a place that I have ever experienced.
Popped and poured. The 2010 pours a deep golden color with medium+ viscosity and no signs of particles or gas. On the nose, the wine is redolent of white tree flowers, desiccated apples and apricots with orange marmalade, honey, lanolin, marzipan and light clove. On the palate, the wine is dry with borderline high acid that is somewhat masked by the equally high alcohol (15%). Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and remarkably rich with wooly, unctuous texture. The high alcohol only becomes apparent as the finish lingers but there is so many other more fascinating things for me than to get distracted by it. Is it oxidative or not? That’s an argument that other people can have. I’m content to simply appreciate these wines for what they are. You can drink these now but knowing how these react favorably to air, it’s probably best to open it well in advance and probably even better to decant. Otherwise, I would expect sound, well-stored examples to live through 2040.
A buddy brought out this bottle of 2010 Clos de la Coulée de Serrant to help toast a great achievement this past weekend. One can probably imagine my excitement as I’m a massive fan of these wines by Nicolas Joly. However, I feel compelled to admit that these wines are not for everyone. They vary wildly from one vintage to the next and there can often be quite a bit of bottle variation to boot. None of this has swayed me from my position; that these are amongst the most exciting, singular expressions of a place that I have ever experienced.
Popped and poured. The 2010 pours a deep golden color with medium+ viscosity and no signs of particles or gas. On the nose, the wine is redolent of white tree flowers, desiccated apples and apricots with orange marmalade, honey, lanolin, marzipan and light clove. On the palate, the wine is dry with borderline high acid that is somewhat masked by the equally high alcohol (15%). Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and remarkably rich with wooly, unctuous texture. The high alcohol only becomes apparent as the finish lingers but there is so many other more fascinating things for me than to get distracted by it. Is it oxidative or not? That’s an argument that other people can have. I’m content to simply appreciate these wines for what they are. You can drink these now but knowing how these react favorably to air, it’s probably best to open it well in advance and probably even better to decant. Otherwise, I would expect sound, well-stored examples to live through 2040.
Great wine to start the night at Atelier Crenn. Good color and a little tight at first. An hour after opening, the nose transformed to opulent honeysuckle. Great weight and length.
Great wine to start the night at Atelier Crenn. Good color and a little tight at first. An hour after opening, the nose transformed to opulent honeysuckle. Great weight and length.
Dec 23rd, 2022I sure do like a good Chenin Blanc on occasion.
I sure do like a good Chenin Blanc on occasion.
May 30th, 2022
Medium gold color. High pitched nose. Notes of lemon, apricot, stones and some spice. Rich in the mouth, with ample acidity although the structure, fruit and acidity combo feels like this has some good age. There's a slight mustiness too. Really good. Guessed 86 Ramonet Ruchottes.
Medium gold color. High pitched nose. Notes of lemon, apricot, stones and some spice. Rich in the mouth, with ample acidity although the structure, fruit and acidity combo feels like this has some good age. There's a slight mustiness too. Really good. Guessed 86 Ramonet Ruchottes.
Oct 16th, 2021
Mid yellow in colour with greenish tinges. An oxidative Sherry like note. Mouldy ripe apple and apricot with a honeyed nuance. On the palate a full bodied white with a syrupy note. Ripe fruit developing a hefty 15.5% ABV. The delicious ripeness of the fruit hiding the high alcohol to an extent. This vineyard has a fascinating history. The Coulee de Serrant vineyard is a controlled appellation of only 7 hectares. The vineyard was planted in 1130 by Cistercian monks and today consists of vines aged from 35 to 80 years old. This Serrant wine was celebrated by Louis XI and Louis XIV as one of the best French white wines.
Mid yellow in colour with greenish tinges. An oxidative Sherry like note. Mouldy ripe apple and apricot with a honeyed nuance. On the palate a full bodied white with a syrupy note. Ripe fruit developing a hefty 15.5% ABV. The delicious ripeness of the fruit hiding the high alcohol to an extent. This vineyard has a fascinating history. The Coulee de Serrant vineyard is a controlled appellation of only 7 hectares. The vineyard was planted in 1130 by Cistercian monks and today consists of vines aged from 35 to 80 years old. This Serrant wine was celebrated by Louis XI and Louis XIV as one of the best French white wines.
Nov 22nd, 2020
Amber in color, drinking quite well. It’s a bit exotic, and alcohol is a little elevated. Bruised yellow apples, orange oil, a touch of oxidative notes, baked hazelnuts and acacia honey. Persistent finish.
Amber in color, drinking quite well. It’s a bit exotic, and alcohol is a little elevated. Bruised yellow apples, orange oil, a touch of oxidative notes, baked hazelnuts and acacia honey. Persistent finish.
Sep 22nd, 2020
Less oxidation than I remember from 90s and early 2000s. Typical biodynamic color (straw yellow) and nose.
Less oxidation than I remember from 90s and early 2000s. Typical biodynamic color (straw yellow) and nose.
Jun 19th, 2020
Ridiculous. One glass should take an hour to ponder, swish, swirl, sip and discuss. Intense.
Ridiculous. One glass should take an hour to ponder, swish, swirl, sip and discuss. Intense.
Apr 21st, 2020