Sylvie Thermeau Savennières Moulin de Chavigné

Not as funky as in previous note; in fact seemed like a dry fresh Chenin, right down the middle of the plate. Usual pear/lychee/quince aromas and flavors. Good minerality with a strong phenolic/bitter bite on the back end. A bit reserved aromatically, though. Made for a dynamic pairing with mushrooms.

Loire Valley Primer (Wine Exchange - Orange, CA) : When I first smelled this wine I had a feeling it would be polarizing. First off the nose is just crazy with rustic reductive and burning fabric aromas. The palate does yield sweet melon and white cherry flavors along with orange on the finish, but like the nose there is tremendous earth and smoke infusion throughout. I can appreciate the style and quality (and I do like it) but what a …