Home > Producer Profiles > Loire Profiles > Chateau de la Genaiserie
Chateau de la Genaiserie
Yves Soulez purchased Chateau de la Genaiserie in 1990, having previously earned his living in the Savennières appellation, making wine at Chateau de Chamboureau. He had quickly made his mark, however, with his wines scoring highly with at least one influential American wine critic. He produced a number of Coteaux du Layon cuvées from his 42 hectares of vineyard, reflecting his belief that different terroir can have a marked effect on the quality of the wine produced. This is the reason for his single vineyard cuvées La Roche, Les Tetuères and Les Simonelles. Under Yves Soulez there was great attention to detail at Genaiserie, with manual harvesting and a meticulous pick-through and sorting of the fruit prior to vinification. These practices have always shown through in the quality of the wines.
In 2003 Chateau de la Genaiserie changed hands once again, the new owners being Lori & Frédéric Julia. Lori and Frédéric made contact with me in October 2005, to inform me of their purchase and to request that I taste the wines from the Julia vintages, namely 2003 on. Yes, was my eager reply, to which I never had any response. Why does that happen? Never mind, I am quite happy drinking the Tetuères and Simonelles from the 1997 vintage, of which I have many bottles left. For the time being I will remain unacquainted with the new wines. (10/3/06)
Contact details:
Address: 49190 St-Aubin de Luigne
Telephone: +33 (0) 2 41 54 38 82
Fax: +33 (0) 2 41 54 60 45
Internet: www.genaiserie.com
Chateau de la Genaiserie - Tasting Notes
Click
to locate
stockists:
Chateau de la Genaiserie
SdGN Coteaux du Layon St-Aubin Les Simonelles 1997: An appealing colour,
shimmering gold, but not hugely dense. Whereas last time this wine started off
rather high-toned, this time it has a more readily accessible nose, full of
pineapple and honey, but still with a delightful presence of straw and wool.
Pure, slightly grainy, deeply characterful palate, fresh and bright with rich
acidity, but also rich, heady and full of pleasure. Nicely balanced and well
composed. Beautiful presence through to a grippy, lingering finish. Excellent.
From a tasting of the 1997
Vintage at ten years of age. 18/20 (December 2007)
Chateau de la Genaiserie SdGN Coteaux du Layon St-Aubin Les Simonelles 1997: Again, about four years on. The first aroma
from the glass is acetone, which thankfully yields to an array of more typical
mineral, honey, straw and wet wool aromas. On the palate, it offers an appealing
depth and delightful sweetness, although still with a little high-toned streak.
But it certainly has richness, and is beginning, just, to show a little of that
grainy complexity that comes with ageing good Coteaux du Layon (and crus).
Very good indeed, full of potential, but needs yet more time to show what it
really has. 17.5+/20 (February 2006)
Chateau de la Genaiserie SdGN Coteaux du Layon St-Aubin Les Simonelles 1997: A moderately deep golden yellow wine. The
nose has some high toned notes, but these blow off after a while to reveal
classic aromas of quince, herbal tea and lemons. There is a very impressive
texture on the palate, which is luscious, full and rich with honey and oatmeal
character, showing particularly on the endpalate. There's great depth to the
flavour. Alongside there is a sharp, almost bitter, lemony acidity. It finishes
dulcetly, leading into a considerable length. Could be drunk now, although
perhaps a little brutal. In my opinion this is one for the cellar. 17.5+/20 (March 2002)
Chateau de la Genaiserie
SdGN Coteaux du Layon Chaume Les Tetuères 1997: A moderately rich golden
hue here, deeper than on my last tasting I think. The nose starts off a little
high-toned, but then displays attractive notes of orange marmalade, candied
pineapple, honey, sea salt and evident botrytis. Precise and yet with richness
on the palate, there is a lovely midpalate depth tied with a firm acidity, and
lots of creamy texture which builds up to the finish. Very resinous, with great
flavour, and beautifully structured with bright acidity underpinning all the
candied fruits. Still lots of potential here too I think. From a tasting of the
1997 Vintage at ten years
of age. 17.5+/20 (December 2007)
Chateau de la Genaiserie SdGN Coteaux du Layon
Chaume Les Tetuères 1997: About four years on since last tasted. Moderately
rich golden hue. Such purity on the nose, rich yet precise, with aromas of fresh
honey and beeswax, with an apple and straw freshness. As last time, wonderful
balance on the palate, with fine acidity cutting through the richly endowed
panoply of flavours; still a little of that creamy fudge, but also drying straw
and a fine minerality. This is maturing with great grace, and will continue to
improve over the next five to six years at least. Excellent. 17.5+/20 (February 2006)
Chateau de la Genaiserie SdGN Coteaux du Layon
Chaume Les Tetuères 1997: A delightful looking golden wine. There is an
evident richness on the nose, with aromas of liquid honey and beeswax, with a
side note of fresh green apples and fudge, with high-toned notes of volatility
in the background. Elegant richness on entry, with fine apply acidity cutting
through a layer of waxy, honeyed and somewhat candied fruit. Through the
midpalate a warming richness, bordering on lusciousness, develops. Firm finish
and a great length. 17.5+/20 (March 2002)
Chateau de la Genaiserie SdGN Coteaux du Layon St-Aubin La Roche 1996: Quite an intense although somewhat simple nose
here. Honeyed, fat and rich, predominantly quince aromas with herbal tea
nuances. Beautifully textured on the palate, fantastically rich, with a soft,
honeyed lusciousness, almost creamy in character. It builds considerable weight
on the palate, but maintains a super clarity of flavour thanks to an almost
citrussy acidity which cuts through it all. The flavours mirror the aromas on
the nose. It's all rounded off by a soft, minerally chalky finish. 17+/20 (March 2002)
Château de la Genaiserie SdGN Coteaux du Layon St-Aubin La Roche 1996: A golden
yellow hue. Good botrytis characteristics on the nose,
with an abundance of quince and apricots. A honey
textured palate, with good balancing but not racy
acidity. Attractive lime and quince notes.
17+/20 (January 2001)
Home - Site index - Site updated May 14, 2008 - © The Winedoctor 2000 - 2008 - Wine Scores - RSS
