An earlier TN on Bourgueil and the ensuing informative exchange got me in the Loire mood with dinner.
1998 Dom. du Closel “Clos du Papillon” Savennieres, Vallee de la Loire
Gold tinted. Stern, mineral nose. Very dry, lemony, and green apples. Got better as the meal progressed, and showed notes of honeyed hard candy and became much fuller. Very complementary of a very good and recent cheese find in a local store, an Italian called Quadrello di Bufala. B+/A-
2005 Dom. de la Rochette “Prestige du Vigneron” Touraine, Vallee de la Loire
Deep cherry red. Herbal and dry leaves on the bouquet. A medium-bodied wine that was still quite tannic. Herbs, cherries and slight green vegetable notes. Licorice. B