MPA Wine Tasting - Loire Valley 101

Our beloved Leslie Lovo takes the Gold, going 4 for 4 on the blind tasting, during the 2010/2011 inaugural MPA Wine Tasting, this past Saturday. Felicidades Leslie ! (the 5th round was a wash or maybe a slosh describes it better, because people were a little too happy by that point) And thanks to Keith and Kelsey for being such wonderful hosts !

In order of tasting …

2007 Domaine des Roches Neuves (Thierry Germain) “L’Insolite” Saumur
Tasting Notes : 100% chenin blanc, clay-limestone soil, fermentation in oak barrel, aged 12 months in oak, 13% vol. Quite raw, fleshy, fruity and complex on the nose, almost effervescent, with notes of fresh grass and flowers. Full-bodied, balanced, slightly off-dry and a little sour in the mouth. This wine is rich and slightly bitter with flavors of apples, peach and dried raisins.
Rating : 15/20 (13.3/20 MPA average)
Price : 18€00 @ La Grande Epicerie Paris

MPA winos …
Laura, “makes my inner thighs tingle” (14/20)
Jonathan, “dewey Spring morning” (11/20)
Christina, “pineapple, orange blossom” (13/20)
Rajul, “baba au rhum, pear with a hint of fresh paint thinner” (9.6/20)
Sayko, “onion rings with vinegar” (17/20)
Virginie, “swimming pool” (15/20)

2004 Domaine du Closel “Les Caillardières” Savennières
Tasting Notes : 100% chenin blanc, schist soil, aged in vat, 14.5% vol. A well-structured and elegant nose with good minerality, floral notes and a hint of alcohol. Very smooth and rich in the mouth, this wine is full-bodied, displaying a nice complexity and off-dry flavors of pears and subtle spice. The finish is long and evolving, opening up into a mild bitter-tartness toward the end. (FULL DISCLAIMER : This is the winery where I work.)
Rating : 16/20 (13.1/20 MPA average, 90 points Wine Spectator)
Price : 15€60 @ Domaine du Closel in Savennières

MPA winos …
Keith, “antiseptic, wood shop” (13/20)
Rajul, “a bit like a bad relationship” (12/20)
Katharina, “spicy in the mouth” (14/20)
Sayko, “hay with Alka Seltzer” (15/20)
Eva, “croissant, salami, buttery, cheese, good until you swallow” (11/20)
Robbie, “air” (14/20)

2006 Domaine des Roches Neuves (Thierry Germain) “Terres Chaudes” Saumur Champigny
Tasting Notes : 100% cabernet franc, sandy-clay-limestone soil, 2-5 day maceration with “pigeage”, aged 12 months in oak, 13% vol. Green and a little sour up front on the nose, displaying red fruits. These one-dimensional notes completely dissipated after a couple of minutes, opening up to red and black fruits, mild oak, nutmeg and cinnamon, and a subtle note of matchstick. Slightly disjointed in the mouth, there is a juicy acidity and notes of blackberries and black cherries. Just like on the nose, this wine evolves nicely in the mouth, improving its overall expression after about 5 minutes.
Rating : 14/20 (13.1/20 MPA average)
Price : 18€20 @ La Grande Epicerie Paris

MPA winos …
Keith, “egg whites” (10/20)
Jonathan, “resinous” (17/20)
Christina, “cherry pie in a forest” (16/20)
Leslie, “sad” (10/20)
Sean, “tabaco” (17/20)
Eva, “chocolate, petrol” (12/20)

2006 Domaine Vacheron “Belle Dame” Sancerre
Tasting Notes : 100% pinot noir, biodynamic certified, 13% vol. A very elegant and pretty nose of violets and mild spice. Very well integrated. The mouth is less impressive, nonetheless, there is a good acidity and a nice balance between the light-medium body, the supple tannins and the notes of cherries and cassis. Although this was a solid wine, I was disappointed, considering the price tag.
Rating : 16/20 (15/20 MPA average)
Price : 32€30 @ La Grande Epicerie Paris

MPA winos …
Rex, “don’t like it at the beginning, but like it at the end” (15/20)
Sayko, “sour, quick, Mr. Wine Bucket, bien cabron” (17/20)
Eva, “salty” (no score)
Robbie, “white part of Oreo cookie” (16/20)

2005 Domaine Huet “Brut” Vouvray Pétillant
Tasting Notes : 100% chenin blanc, clay-limestone soil, biodynamic certified, 12% vol. A nice crisp and citrusy nose. Good acidity and fine-smooth bubbles in the mouth. Overall good fruit, citrus and a pleasantly mild bitterness throughout.
Rating : 15/20 (13.5/20 MPA average)
Price : 16€20 @ La Grande Epicerie Paris

MPA winos …
Master Ric, “fake Champagne” (12/20)