2007 Clos Roche Blanche Touraine Gamay

Stored cooly for the first six months I owned it, but stored more warmly the last few weeks. And...the beasties did "bloom" a little bit. But I guess one expects a little funk when it comes to these hipster "natural" wines. Or maybe even a "medium" level of funk

The funk did blow off, though it was always present. More noticeable on the nose than the palate. And, the wine itself was a nice surprise-much richer and plusher and warmer than I remember from past bottles of CRB Gamay. Red plum, tons of white pepper (Kevin commented repeatedly on the white pepper. Like myself, he loves peppery wines). A lot of fruit...with the funk providing a soy-ish floor underneath that to me is interesting and quite enjoyable.

A local winemaker, John Gilpin of Vitus wines, was also there last night. He produces huge, fruity, extracted, almost porty Napa style wines in a very clean environment. He did NOT enjoy Clos Roche Blanche. At all. Nor did his women friends...they thought it "lacked body". Which is kind of the point with Gamay, isn't it? And, this bottle of CRB was certainly richer and plusher than previous examples.

[David M. Bueker]

There's only a few California winemakers I could see enjoying CRB (e.g. Steve Edmunds).

There's only a few California winemakers I could see enjoying CRB (e.g. Steve Edmunds).

And let's not forget one "Florida" Jim Cowan, who's even waxed rhapsodic on the wine in question.

Mark Lipton

3/4 of us liked it...the wine bar proprietor actually did, to his surprise.

If you are brett-tolerant, it is a delicious wine, micro-beasties and all.

3/4 of us liked it...the wine bar proprietor actually did, to his surprise.

If you are brett-tolerant, it is a delicious wine, micro-beasties and all.

Brian, I think you nailed this wine. I was surprised to see the level of enthusiasm on the wine-geek boards given how bretty it is. Nevertheless, it has a lot of "character", especially for the price.

Very telling, I suppose, the Californian's reaction to it. I imagine tasters in the Loire would have a similar reaction to the "porty" Cali cab you refer to. If only I could find more wines that take the best of both of these worlds (i.e., elegant un-spoofilated French wines without Brett)!

well, I am quite brett tolerant (although I have had other "natural" wines that pushed my tolerance levels ).

We also tasted another Louis/Dressner imports Gamay a couple of days later: the Clos de Roilette 2006 Fleurie. Very, very "pretty" wine-much lighter in fruit and body with floral notes and some white pepper. Kevin (owner of the local wine bar) and John Chandler both liked it...more than the CRB. It was certainly a much "cleaner" wine than the CRB...but still, brett and all, I think your use of the word "character" nails it for me...I prefer the CRB. This time I will store the bottle completely cold for 100% of the time before I drink it!