Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur-Champigny Terres Chaudes

My last bottle of this vintage, and what a surprise! This is still incredibly young, color that is deep ruby at the core and only slightly brownish at the rim. Fresh and almost citrusy nose at first, but after a short while in the glass it evolves into that typical dusty, green pepper-like aroma with loads of black cherries in the background. No hints of tertiary aromas. Medium bodied, high acidity but still a very smooth mouth feel giving an …

restrained nose of dark fruit, licorice and mineral... with black cherry, black licorice, subtle leather, tobacco, and a healthy dose of chalky, saline, mineral on the palate... persistent, drying, dusty, chalky tannins... solid acid... drinkable now, though I believe some cellar time would benefit this bottle... overall, structured to age, with nothing to complain about... just a bit young today.. a solid, classic, Loire Cab Franc.

Sans notes

John David Selections (Conference room) : Funky, burnt aromas. Seems almost over ripe. Tannic. Super drying. Not a fan, but this needed time, and unfortunately, I wasn't able to see this with more air.

Nose was violets, raspberries and an interesting herb note, in a good way. Nicely balanced wine with just enough tannin and acidity to give the fruit something to ride on. Those same raspberry and herb notes carried through on the palate. A nice earth/stone feel to it. Great to drink on a sunny spring day.

Second bottle of an afternoon sitting outside of Thief Wine. Low abv (13%) was much appreciated. Nose of fresh red fruit, fresh herbs, and a pleasant touch of green earthiness. Palate was light and lively with smooth tannins and balanced acidity. Complex and interesting, fresh but flavorful. A very enjoyable bottle and one to keep on hand at under $20.

Nose: Creme brulee, barnyard and muted fruit which develops into rich fruit after 1 hour. Flavor: Pretty, and unquestionably cab franc. Like eating a cocktail of pickles, dark fruit and soil. Also some back end bitterness. Not a huge finish. My second Saumur-Champigny and I'm intruiged. Would buy again.

Loire (The Wine Club, San Francisco) : Medium depth and tone of color. Very typical light to medium weight. Higher acid, not at all fruit forward with predominant olive and licorice tones. Not all that flavorful but would make a pleasant, innocuous, background bistro type wine.

Gorgeous, pure and concentrated blackberry and black cherry fruit with an earthy note and good acidity to the firm finish. Quite backward. Excellent food pairing. Will try and get more.

Nez typique de petits fruits et poivrons verts, sans être très complexe. Un peu trop végétal en bouche, avec un léger manque de maturité. Légèrement meilleur à la cuvée de base, du moins pour l'instant. Bonne persistance.