Annual ritual with wines from the Loire in London, organized by Charles Sydney Wines. This time we were led through a masterclass by Jo Locke MW, and the producers of the wines below.
Here are my tasting notes.
1. Ackerman Royal 2022
Crémant de Loire, Saumur
In 1831 Mr Ackerman came from Belgium and wanted to copy Champagne, first to do in Loire.
60 Chard 30 cab franc 10 pinot noir check, 36 months on Lees
Fresh, mod complex,
Score 87
2. La Minée, cru château Thebaud 2022, first release
Muscadet cru communal
Organic
balance, complex
Score 91
3.Les hauts de Husseau 2019,domain de la Taille aux Loups
Montlouis sec AOP
Grapes?
Dry vintage but very old vines (80 to 150 years old!) with deep roots got humidity from ground
Spontaneous fermentation in deep caves, can take up to a year! No sulphites needed because little oxygen in caves.
Smooth and balanced, mod long
Score 90
4.Edmond 2022 Domaine Alphonse Mellot
Sancerre blanc sauvignon
Vines from 1904. Current Alphonse is 19th but he only has 4 daughters, first called Alphonsine! #biodynamic
Balanced complex and long
Score 94
5. Buisson Renard 2022,Domaine Didier Dagueneau
Balance complex and long,
Vin de France and not Pouilly Fumé got fed up with regulations of appellation.
Score 94
Reds
6. La Chapelle 2023,domaine des Pothiers Roman Paire)
Côte Roannaise
Gamay
Spicy, smooth, long.
Score 92
7. Génération XIX 2019, domaine Alphonse Mellot
Sancerre Rouge Pinot noir
Very smooth, perfect balance, long
Score 95
8. Les Chiens Chiens 2018, Domaine de la Noblaie
Cabernet Franc
Chinon rouge aop, organic
Rough, sharp edges, needs time in the bottle to get a bit rounder.
Score 90
