Olga Raffault, Chinon, Champ Chenin

A structured Chenin with some volume. Vibrant yet not light. White pepper, beeswax, orchard fruit. Good mineral tension. (Mine was also mislabeled as "100% Cabernet Franc. White Loire Wine." Obviously, there is no 'blanc de noirs' style white made out of Cab Franc, since you can't use the "Chinon" appellation designation. Chinon AOC only allows red and rose wines from Cab Franc. Also, "Champ-Chenin" is a lieu-dit of 100% Chenin Blanc. )

Even though it's listed as a Chenin Blanc, on our bottle today it said 100% Cabernet Franc White Loire Wine. The sommelier confirmed this as a Cabernet Franc Blanc. Online most people designate it as Chenin Blanc, so I'm a bit confused. Anyway, it was very shutdown. Zero nose. No fruit, no acidity, just some tannic bitterness. Not nice.

Nose of apple, honey, melon, and tangerine with vegetal, and soy sauce undercurrents, and a whiff of perfume dancing above. That umami is present on the palate, where again you have autumnal apple, honeycomb, and peach liqueur, and a saline, umami, and mineral finish. Strangely but unsurprisingly delicious with sushi.