So Friday headed over to Tom’s for local nonserious group tasting, the declared theme was Central Loire (Touraine and Saumur). Tom had out a nice spread - 2 pates (pork and pork/duck), pork rillettes, saucisson sec, Mimolette , Brie, an ash-covered goat cheese, and more.
2019 Huet Vouvray Brut Petillant
Apple, chalk, bread dough with a bonus note of wax/wool to remind you it’s Chenin! Good brightness, fine mousse, long chalky finish. B++
Rest were blind
White # 1 (I didn’t guess as it was mine).A little tight at first but opens nicely with only a little time. Rich yellow pear fruit with honey and floral notes, tangy mineral finish, just a little RS. Quite long and fine. Fred got Huet fast, but didn’t know vineyard.
2019 Huet Le Mont Vouvray Sec B+
Some Goat cheese stuffed mushrooms were first warm course
White #2 -Man I like this. Beautifully delineated, crisp white pear fruit with citrus and honeysuckle, long mineral finish. I didn’t think Vouvray so got lucky with my Saumur guess.
2021 Collier Charpentrie Saumur Blanc A-
White #3- this is clearly Sauvignon Blanc,catpee and grass, Fred and I are debating Touraine vs Cheverny, turns out guest was just told Central Loire and a wine store sold him a Sancerre. On lighter grassier overcropped edge of Sancerre style. 2024 Jean Max Roger Sancerre B-/C+
Lemon sole en papillote with carrot, asparagus, and shallots
White #4 -somewhat fleshy pit fruit, touch of wax, medium body, I guessed ripe vintage Vouvray,
2022 Lydie and Thierry Chancede Saumur Blanc B-/B
Red #1 (and 2) (Fred and Rob accidentally brought same wine)
Light color, peppery, tart cherry fruit and easy to drink, I thought maybe Grolleau before getting to Pineau d’Aunis,it didn’t have the pine needle thing that sometimes turns me off P d’A, Fun easy wine. 2023 Mon Tout Rouge B/B+
Boudin noir and boudin blanc
Red # 3 (and 4) (wow, first time we’ve had 2 duplicates!)
Lovely red CF fruit with touch of green pepper and nice herbaceous finish, medium bodied, ripe but balanced. 2020 Lambert Clos Mazurique “Breze” Saumur B+/B
Red # 5- others liked more than me, clearly CF, I guess superripe Chinon. Kirsch and berry compote, green tobacco leaf, shorter finish. 2022 Chateau du Petit Thouars Les Georges Chinon B-/C+
(not blind)
When digging through Loire box for candidates, I discovered a leaking bottle of 1989 Soucherie "Chaume" Coteaux du Layon, so carried along. As soon as I touched cork with Durand it fell in. Dark, unpromising color. Definitely compromised, with a raisiny note, but there’s some good stuff underneath with orange marmalade and wool, not super sweet, just a bit more than demi-sec. No rating as not representative bottle.
Fun delicious night.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.