Presented to me blind at Tasting Group. The wine appears bright yellow with medium viscosity; no signs of sediment, gas or particles. On the nose, the wine is developing with ripe orchard fruit: stone fruits, lemons, white flowers, lanolin and minerals. On the palate the wine is off-dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and full of character. The alcohol is medium+. Initial conclusions: this could be Chenin Blanc, Riesling or Chardonnay from France, Germany or the United States. But I didn’t get any petrol so I eliminated Riesling and I don’t think you could get the balance of fruit and high acid from California Chardonnay (and the oak would probably be so pronounced). So I called Chenin Blanc from France, from the Loire, Vouvray Demi-Sec. Well…I should have known this could be Joly! Close…but some miles away from each other and I’d like to have the confidence to call producer in this case. Drink now through 2034.
Presented to me blind at Tasting Group. The wine appears bright yellow with medium viscosity; no signs of sediment, gas or particles. On the nose, the wine is developing with ripe orchard fruit: stone fruits, lemons, white flowers, lanolin and minerals. On the palate the wine is off-dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and full of character. The alcohol is medium+. Initial conclusions: this could be Chenin Blanc, Riesling or Chardonnay from France, Germany or the United States. But I didn’t get any petrol so I eliminated Riesling and I don’t think you could get the balance of fruit and high acid from California Chardonnay (and the oak would probably be so pronounced). So I called Chenin Blanc from France, from the Loire, Vouvray Demi-Sec. Well…I should have known this could be Joly! Close…but some miles away from each other and I’d like to have the confidence to call producer in this case. Drink now through 2034.
Mar 18th, 2025Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The 2022 “Les Vieux Clos” pours a light golden color with medium+ viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with white tree flowers, mandarine oranges, ginger, lanolin and just a touch mousy. On the palate, the wine is slightly off-dry with high acid that’s balanced by the unquestionable quality of the fruit. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, wooly and rich. The alcohol is medium+ but should be at all be surprised? Say what you want about Joly’s methods; his wines are never boring. I, for one, adore them. Drink now through 2032 easy.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The 2022 “Les Vieux Clos” pours a light golden color with medium+ viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with white tree flowers, mandarine oranges, ginger, lanolin and just a touch mousy. On the palate, the wine is slightly off-dry with high acid that’s balanced by the unquestionable quality of the fruit. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, wooly and rich. The alcohol is medium+ but should be at all be surprised? Say what you want about Joly’s methods; his wines are never boring. I, for one, adore them. Drink now through 2032 easy.
Aug 13th, 2024
Botrytis, honey, funk. Started off slightly effervescent but that dissipated. Wild wine.
Botrytis, honey, funk. Started off slightly effervescent but that dissipated. Wild wine.
Jan 8th, 2024
Interesting and complicated. A varietal that we rarely approach. Tropical notes on the nose and palate. It displays effervescence on the mid palate, which I find distracting. But the pineapple notes draw you in. A very sweet finale left us thinking this was somewhat of a hybrid between Sauvignon Blanc and champagne.
Interesting and complicated. A varietal that we rarely approach. Tropical notes on the nose and palate. It displays effervescence on the mid palate, which I find distracting. But the pineapple notes draw you in. A very sweet finale left us thinking this was somewhat of a hybrid between Sauvignon Blanc and champagne.
Sep 3rd, 2023
This is not a faithful representation of Savennieres.
I cannot think of a winemaker with terroir as good at this who has failed to live up to it to such an extent. What a shame.
This is not a faithful representation of Savennieres.
I cannot think of a winemaker with terroir as good at this who has failed to live up to it to such an extent. What a shame.
Mar 19th, 2023
Felicia Woytak/ Grandes Dames. WIW. My 4th, group 6th. Botrytis, honey. Slightly sweet
Felicia Woytak/ Grandes Dames. WIW. My 4th, group 6th. Botrytis, honey. Slightly sweet
Nov 13th, 2022
Funky goodness
Aug 13th, 2021
Oxidative with nice high acid. Saline present. Lovely.
Oxidative with nice high acid. Saline present. Lovely.
Apr 1st, 2021
notes to come
Sep 1st, 2020
Best bottle I've cracked in some time. Even the less savvy wine drinkers at dinner commented on its complexity and ability to pair w food. I did not decant or let it breathe, just pop and pour. Delicious w Olde Salt oysters from the Chesapeake Bay.
Best bottle I've cracked in some time. Even the less savvy wine drinkers at dinner commented on its complexity and ability to pair w food. I did not decant or let it breathe, just pop and pour. Delicious w Olde Salt oysters from the Chesapeake Bay.
Sep 8th, 2018
Savennières, Anjou-Saumur, Loire Valley, France
