2014 Henry Marionnet, Touraine Rouge, Premiere Vendange, Loire Valley France.
My favorite of the set of wines made by Jean-Sebastien Marionnet of Henry Marionnet and Domaine de la Charmoise in Touraine was his wonderfully expressive all natural 100% Gamay Premiere Vendange, though all his wines deserve attention. The Premiere Vendange 2014 is made with organic grapes, no chemicals, no additions at all, native yeast and has no added sulfur as well as no oak, this is about as pure wine as you can get and it’s damn good, it picks up the terroir and is not either funky or tuti fruity with impressive detail and ripe layers. Being Gamay you’d expect a lightness or carbonic sense, but the Marionnet Touraine Premiere Vendange has a cool mineral and spice subtlety and light floral notes with hints of violets, flinty stones, black currant, plum and cherry fruits with a touch of loam and wild herb. This is really attractive Gamay that delivers a medium body, charming style and substance to be a serious dinner companion. Marionnet crafts a very worthy set of wines, mostly Gamay, but also has Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and a rare ungrafted Romorantin.
($22 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
