The ascendancy of Thierry Germain is complete! A wine of incredible clarity and finesse delivering layers of complex scents and flavors on a gossamer thread (12.5%!).
The ascendancy of Thierry Germain is complete! A wine of incredible clarity and finesse delivering layers of complex scents and flavors on a gossamer thread (12.5%!).
Jun 12th, 2016
The first whiff is moderately Bretty, if the clove-and-band-aid kind, not overwhelming but adding complexity; then slight green peppercorn but not particularly vegetal. A cherry and dark berry note next but not until this has been one. For an hour do I get a note of sweet red raspberry and strawberry fruit, almost candied, that really emerges on the palate (very different grape but similar to the “inner mouth sweetness” that people often associate with Giacosa). The palate gains heft with time open but remains middleweight, mouthwatering and nicely balanced. Tannins are unobtrusive and soft, with little bite.
This exceeded my expectations and was quite classy, if not likely to be the most long-lived of Loire reds. For Franc-de-pieds, there still is no comparison to Plouzeau’s, and this is far lighter but definitely a high class wine.
The first whiff is moderately Bretty, if the clove-and-band-aid kind, not overwhelming but adding complexity; then slight green peppercorn but not particularly vegetal. A cherry and dark berry note next but not until this has been one. For an hour do I get a note of sweet red raspberry and strawberry fruit, almost candied, that really emerges on the palate (very different grape but similar to the “inner mouth sweetness” that people often associate with Giacosa). The palate gains heft with time open but remains middleweight, mouthwatering and nicely balanced. Tannins are unobtrusive and soft, with little bite.
This exceeded my expectations and was quite classy, if not likely to be the most long-lived of Loire reds. For Franc-de-pieds, there still is no comparison to Plouzeau’s, and this is far lighter but definitely a high class wine.
Jun 14th, 2019
May be a little young for this vintage, but nice salinity and ripe, round fruit.
May be a little young for this vintage, but nice salinity and ripe, round fruit.
May 13th, 2016
Saumur-Champigny, Anjou-Saumur, Loire Valley, France
