2014 Domaines Minchin, La Tour Saint-Martin, Menetou-Salon “Pommerais” Pinot Noir, Loire Valley, France.
The La Tour Saint Martin Pommerais is a bright and fresh old world Pinot Noir with cool Atlantic influences and terroir character coming from the Mentou-Salon et Valençay on the Loire River, it shines with juicy reds fruits, perfect lifting acidity and a mineral spiced profile. The Minchin La Tour Saint Martin Pinot is grown on Kimmeridgian soils, a marl/limestone that is famous in Chablis, this chalk and dense clay add to the complexity and really give a sense of place in this wine. The 2014 Pommerais shows tangy red cherry, strawberry and plum fruits with hints of salty granite, red tea, apple skin and soft cedar notes framed with satiny tannin and lingering minty herb, zesty raspberry and cranberry. The sweet and savory play makes this unique Pinot great with holiday fare and many cuisines, a nice pairing with roast bird, pork and less spicy Asian dishes. At first glance this Loire Pinot seems subtle and simple, but it grows on you and gains in interest with air and will please for a few years to come, especially considering the price, best from 2016 to 2020.
($20 Est.) 90 Points, grapelive
