Dirty Dozen Tasting 12th September Sarah Ahmed
Sarah Ahmed in The Wine Detective (www.thewinedetective.co.uk): The Dirty Dozen Do It Again: A Terroir Tasting. On The Loire - Contrastingstyles of Chenin Blanc, also Sauvignon, showed off the Loire’s terroir.... From Chavignol’ssteep kimmeridgian limestone-based slopes Gerard Boulay Clos deBeaujeu Sancerre 2010 (VineTrail) wasiron fist in velvet glove. A powerful, creamy, chalky, leesy,textured palate with blackcurrant bud and citrus is underscored and animated bysteely grapefruity, mineral acidity, teasing out a long finish. Terrific.
On theChenin front, ....my joint favourite Chenin of the day, Richard LeroyRouliers 2009 (VineTrail) Vin deFrance (also from Anjou), showed quite exquisite balance, purity and precisionto its ripe, juicy apple and quince fruit – loved its perfectly judgedmouthwatering acidity and richness of fruit.
As forred wines, Chateau de Coulaine Chinon Clos de Turpenay 2009 (VineTrail) reveals a smoky mineral undertow and savoury edge to itsabundant sweet, round, ripe red fruits; long, with fine, firm tannins. Very good.