This weekend we opened some fantastic wines for a Loire Valley themed tasting. It was a fun afternoon and I enjoyed exploring the wines with customers new and old. Here is a quick recap of the lineup we were pouring:.

Pierre Frite Chenin de Loire 2021 - $18.99

This totally dry Chenin Blanc hails from Saumur, right in the middle of the Loire Valley, where Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc are mostly planted. I have always loved its bright and lively attack and finish. There is a nervy acidity throughout the wine with yellow fruit and melon flavors mixed with mineral undertones. The wine sticks with you through the finish and its lifted flavor profile keeps things interesting as you drink through a glass or two. This is a great wine that is perfectly suited for the spring and summer seasons.

Domaine du Salvard "Le Petit Salvard" 2021 - $17.99

It is getting tough to find reasonably priced Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley, but this wine certainly delivers. It avoids the citrus and grassy flavors that are often attributed to Sauvignon Blanc, presenting a clean expression of white, fleshy stone fruit with hints of wet stone. There is a nice weight and texture on the mid palate that balances the wines's acidity beautifully. It's pretty much impossible to find Sancerre under $30 these days, but at half the price this little wine will still push some of those buttons for sure.

Domaine de Pallus Messanges Rosé 2022 - $18.99

This wine sparked a bit of debate among those tasting on Saturday. The Cabernet Franc grapes used to make the wine aren't shy in making their voices heard with some bell pepper on the nose and spice elements working into the palate. It seemed to resonate with our more adventurous customers while others thought it was a bit of a departure from their comfort zone. I sometimes enjoy rosés that invite a bit more of the red wine side of things into the flavor profile, so I thought it was a fun wine.

Mary Taylor Valençay 2018 - $16.99

This was the surprised of the tasting. When I first brought in this vintage it was light-bodied and elegant, but fairly tightly wound. A couple years in bottle has allowed this blend of Gamay, Pinot Noir and Cot (Malbec) to evolve in all the right ways. The aromatics jump out of the glass with vibrant blue fruit notes while the palate is light-bodied but showing great depth. This was a crowd pleaser for sure.

Domaine Y. Amirault "Cote 50" Bourgueil 2018 - $25.99

The first of two Cabernet Francs that rounded out the tasting, this wine is an elegant expression of the grape variety. The typical green, vegetal aromatics and flavors are beautifully integrated into the wine. The tannins are fine and soft and red berry fruit flavors have reach full ripeness. It's hard to poke any holes in this wine's quality and balance.

Chateau de Fosse-Seche "Eolithe" Saumur Rouge 2018 - $39.99

Similar to the Bourgueil before it, this Saumur Rouge is an exquisitely crafted wine. It was a hit with just about everybody as its concentration and intensity of flavor is immediately evident and builds further as the wine opens.

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Brad