Marc Bredif Vouvray 2010

What can I say about this master of Vouray or Chenin Blanc? Just try his wines and find out.

Marc Bredif Vouvray 2010

My god this is fresh with flavours of glazed flowers and honey coated lemon.  The palate is light and refreshing which sits perfectly in term of its developmental window. These babies can take decades in the cellar yet I think they feel comfortable being consumed now.  It is the mid-palate that provides me with this idea as it has an element of fruity richness which reminds me of baked quinces. At this price it is aneasy buy number.

Alcohol: 12%
Price: $25
Rated: 86+
Drink: Whenever you like
Importer: Negociants

Domaine Lafage Tessellae Vieilles Vignes 2009

Domaine Lafage Tessellae Vieilles Vignes 2009

There is a beautiful match between tannin and flavour in this wine.  The tannins take hold of your tongue and shake them up a bit, while the flavours of spicy plum, tart cranberry and licorice root do a michael flatley impression. Everything is working towards the main goal of bringing a smile to your face and this wine does it well.  On the back palate there is a hint of crushed rock or smashed minerals which puts me in the mood for food.

Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $30
Rated: 87
Drink: Now or over the next few years
Importer: Heart & Soil

Coteaux du Giennois Blanc les Tuileries 2008

Coteaux du Giennois Blanc les Tuileries 2008

This tastes so different to your normal Chenin Blanc and it should as it is Sauvignon Blanc. There is still a bright core of grapefruit flavoured acidity running through the middle of the wine which is so different to your Australian version of this variety. The other flavours that are wrapped around the acidity include violets, custard apple and a hint of glazed lemon rind which adds an extra degree of richness. Through the mouth, the wine has a degree of creaminess that holds the flavours to your tongue just a little bit longer. The wine is lovingly long on my palate with the whole package being rather seductive. 

Alcohol: 12%

Price: $28

Rated: 88

Drink: Now

Guy Bossard Muscadet Cuvee Classic 2008

The Muscadet grape is grown in a maritime climate so it receives a nice amount of cool air during the hotter months at vintage time. Generally this variety should be served young and with anything that has been swimming in the sea. Grown near the sea and served with the fish from the sea sounds fantastic.

Guy Bossard Muscadet Cuvee Classic 2008

Now I have never tried a Muscadet before so I was interested to try this when it came across my desk. On the nose you get a huge pong of oxidative notes that muddy the wines message but on the palate there is a bit of lemon rind mixed with melon, peach and spice dusted with icing sugar.  While the flavours are interesting the oxidative note masks the true glory of the wine. I hope this was just a bad bottle and not the norm for this label.

Alcohol: 12%
Price: $28
Rated: 86
Drink: Now or over the next few years.

Marc Bredif Vouvray 1993

As with many wine regions in France, wines that possess the regional name, in this case Vouvray, are tightly controlled as to the make up of the contents.  As such this wine is 100% Chenin Blanc and it certainly feels like it.  If you had told me this was a 2 year old wine I would have believed you but this wine already has 19 years under its belt. The wines from this area are made mostly into still wines but you can find some delightful sparkling version. I wonder if the sparkling versions age as well as the still versions.

Marc Bredif Vouvray 1993

The wine starts out with a pungent slice of lemon rind before a fresh posy of French daisies enter the mix.  I just love the gentle flow of intense yet refreshing flavours that attack my mouth.  What is decidedly outrageous is the acidity that slices straight through the flavours of cracked pepper, tropical fruits and quince jelly.  It is as if a knife has been run over my tongue. Everything in this wine is balanced yet there is a hint of sulfur in the mid palate like you would normally find in a German Rizza so I am going to recommend you keep it for a bit longer before opening it.  Say another 20 years.

Alcohol: 12%
Price: $45
Rated: 92++
Drink: 2017 - give to your grand kids!