Domaine de la Taille aux Loups, 2016 Update
While Montlouis-sur-Loire has seen a very welcome influx of new blood in recent years, with the arrival of Frantz Saumon, Ludovic Chanson, Lise Jousset and a number of others serving to reinvigorate this flagging wine region, it would be wrong to forget those vignerons who have had a more long-standing presence in the appellation. Two of them are very significant, having also played their part in the revitalisation of this appellation, their work creating the foundations upon which these newcomers have been able to build. These two appellation-leaders are, of course, François Chidaine and Jacky Blot.
François Chidaine perhaps has a more fervent following, his wines for me transcending variety and appellation to rank among some of the very best of the entire Loire Valley. Jacky, meanwhile, excels not only with the very high quality of his wines, but also the consistency that runs throughout his portfolio. In almost every year he turns out an exciting range of wines, including sparkling and a number of dry cuvées, including examples of both Vouvray and Montlouis-sur-Loire. In Vouvray he has, of course, been kicked in the teeth by the blocking of his use of the appellation in the 2014 vintage. In Montlouis-sur-Loire, the most recent development has thankfully been more positive, this being the acquisition (a few years ago now, to be fair) of the Clos Michet and Clos de Mosny, two exciting walled vineyards both of which make it through into the portfolio.
Please log in to continue reading: