jamie goode's wine blog: Two Loire Sauvignons, one of which is great

Monday, March 16, 2009

Two Loire Sauvignons, one of which is great

I love the Loire, but it tends to be Chenin Blanc rather than Sauvignon that gets me excited when it comes to the whites.

Here are two interesting Loire Sauvignons, one of which is particularly wonderful.

Sébastien Riffault Akméniné Sancerre 2007 Loire, France
I thought Sancerre was mostly boring, but this is brilliant. It’s a challenging, complex, life-enhancing expression of Sauvignon Blanc. Full yellow in colour, it has a complex, rather wild nose of nuts, minerals, herbs, diesel oil, lemons and apples, with hints of sweet dried fruits. The palate is savoury and full, with lovely minerally acidity and nutty, grassy fruit. It’s just so complex, but if you’re looking for typical Sancerre, then this isn’t for you. I really like it, and rate it as the best Sancerre I’ve ever tasted. 92/100 (Les Caves de Pyrene) 03/09

Jean Paul Mollet Pouilly Fumé ‘L’Antique’ 2007 Loire, France
Aromatic grassy, herby nose with some melony richness. There are some pronounced green herbal notes here. The palate is concentrated and richly textured with a hint of fruit sweetness and green pepper/herby notes, as well as a touch of minerality on the finish. Quite a serious Sauvignon. 89/100 (Sainsburys, this is due to be offered at a promotional price in April) 03/09

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6 Comments:

At 12:44 PM, Anonymous James Ellis said...

Ah yes, I tried the Akmenine at the Salon des Vins de Loire - what a corker! Wonderfully different and unlike any other Sancerre I've encountered.

 
At 2:01 PM, Anonymous Alex Lake said...

Yes, the 2006 was the star of a "naked" offline held last year of Loire wines, beating off the challenge of a Dagenau (can't remember which one). If you like Musar, you'll like this... ;-)

 
At 4:08 PM, Anonymous Keith Prothero said...

Hope you like the Sancerre we will be drinking on Monday Jamie.
There has to be at least one Loire wine as Jim Budd is one of the guests of honour!
See you at 12.30

 
At 5:25 PM, Anonymous Alex Lake said...

...and don't you dare be late! ;-)

 
At 7:21 PM, Anonymous keith prothero said...

Quite!!

 
At 4:49 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The best Sancerre I have ever tasted is La Poussie .
You can get it at Nicholas.
It is pricey but defin. worth it
here

 

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