On Friday night, I had dinner at La Trouvaillle in Blois. By its decor, this doesn’t seem a terribly high-end restaurant, but the food is really good and the wine list adventurous.

I was dining with an interesting group: sommelier Henri Chapon, winegrower Lionel Gosseaume, and Dutch journalists Lars Daniel and Chris Alblis. We enjoyed some superb beef, and nice wines. These three wines were new to me. The Loire is wine geek heaven: there are just so many interesting, unique Loire wines, in both white and red.

Domaine de Veilloux ‘Argilo’ 2010 Cheverny, Loire, France
We were served this blind, and because of its deep colour, complex flavour profile and the fact rhat it was decanted, we wrongly guessed it to be old. There’s a hint of mushroom and undergrowth, but the key theme is mineral, apple and pear eaux de vie characters, as well as good acidity and grapefruit and tangerine notes. Odd but lovely. 92/100

Domaine Philippe Tessier Cour-Cheverny La Porte Dorée 2009 Loire, France
From 40+ year old Romorantin vines, fermented and aged in oak. Complex apple and pear fruit with notes of spice and nuts, good acidity and a lemony finish. Very lively and complex. 93/100

Domaine La Grange Tiphaine ‘Clef de Sol’ Touraine Amboise Rouge 2011 Loire, France
A blend of Gamay and Cabernet Franc. Tight blackcurrant and blackberry fruit with quite a bit of power and structure. Grippy and a little reductive with good acidity. 93/100