2001 Clos Roche Blanche Touraine Cot
Beautiful ripe firm and drinking much better than I expected/feared. Sure there are some tannins on the finish, but they do not dominate as the wine is primarily about a firm square compact focused dose of fresh floral cot fruit. Yes, it can do all of that. And more. Absolutely phenomenal for the price. As always.
2004 Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur L'Insolite
I understand this was the vintage where Thierry got the oak under control, although perhaps the 05 is better because of the glorious fruit. Still, for what we have this is a crisp firm and structured white wine, with some depth and body inside, although by no means tons. The flavors are in the restrained beeswax and brown apple range, but the wine does not tilt flabby as is often the case when those flavors are on centerstage, and there is a nice lively structured acidity. Good wine with its merits for people who need a food friendly chenin-fix with decent complexity, but nothing I need to repurchase.