2017 Pinon Vouvray Les Trois Argiles
Pinon has never clicked for me the way it does for others, and the first bottle of this was kind of boring. Juicy simple orchard fruits with a kiss of rs and minerals. Pleasant to drink but not much more. However, I've grown to appreciate subsequent bottles more, as there is some really nice fragrance here if one pays attention. And there is a nice bit of grip to the texture, so even if it's not infinitely complex, it plays on more than one note.
2016 Pinon Vouvray Le 2016
This was easier for me to appreciate from the beginning. More into the golden flavors than the 2017 Argiles, but also more intense, more mineral and firmer. Both wines are finding a nice place in my rotation (the price doesn't hurt), as I know how to use them.
2017 Chidaine Montlouis Les Bournais
I've had several bottles over the past 18 months or so, and this is getting better and better. Full waxy golden kumquat quince with a nice suave mineral frame. Has character elements that are both rustic and polished. Very nice accompaniment to slightly-rich or bolder dishes. The previous bottle was a hit with fish in a lemongrass coconut sauce and this one did very well with cornmeal crusted flounder, roasted potatoes and sauteed eggplant and chard. I really like this wine and I'm sure it will continue to get better, but not gambling on any long-term aging.
2017 Angeli Vin de France La Lune
Ah the memories. It's been at least a decade since I had this wine and it is very inviting and easy to drink. More finesse than I remember from years past, so it's a nice combination of luscious succulent fruit flavors and the broad brawny Anjou structure interpreted through a layered elegant texture. A wonderful match with butternut squash and arugula pizza. Still, the local price is quite high ($60+) for the pleasure it brings me. And as much as we should approach wines on their own terms, I think I would have liked it more with less rs. So am not sure I'll be buying it very often.