Loire Valley
Spanning from the Central Vineyards in the east to Nantes in the west, passing through Torraine and Anjou-Samur, the Loire Valley is a vast and varied wine region shaped by the river's influence. The region's diverse terroir is characterized by a continental climate in the east and a maritime climate in the west.
Renowned for its exceptional dry white wines made from Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc, the Loire Valley offers a captivating selection with crisp acidity, expressive fruit flavours, and mineral notes. Notable white wine appellations in the Loire Valley include Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Vouvray, and Savennières. Leading producers of white wine in the region include Domaine Vacheron, Domaine Huet, and Domaine Didier Dagueneau.
In addition to its white wines, the Loire Valley produces charming red wines made from Cabernet Franc. Ranging from light and fruity to more complex and age-worthy, these red wines are known for their vibrant acidity, subtle tannins, and bright red fruit flavours. Key appellations for red wines in the Loire Valley include Chinon, Bourgueil, and Saumur-Champigny. Notable producers of red wine in the region include Domaine Bernard Baudry, Catherine & Pierre Breton, and Domaine Charles Joguet.
The Loire Valley also produces excellent sweet wines and sparkling wines. Sweet wines are made from Chenin Blanc grapes affected by botrytis, a fungus that concentrates the sugars in the grapes, resulting in luscious sweetness, honeyed flavors, and vibrant acidity. The most famous sweet wine appellations in the Loire Valley include Coteaux du Layon and Quarts de Chaume. Sparkling wines, known as Crémant de Loire, are made using the traditional method and offer excellent value for money with finesse, delicate bubbles, and refreshing character.
Loire Valley
-
Vinous (96)
It might be delicate but the 2020 Le Haut-Lieu Moelleux is also rather succulent, coating the mouth with its sweet embrace. A combination of white flowers and nectarine creates an appealing perfume. There's a sense of energy that runs through the wine, providing a sense of direction and purpose. The core of sweetness (50–60g/L) doesn't tip over into lushness but is held together by its acidity and structure.HK$4,320.00 -
Vinous (96)
The 2020 Le Haut Lieu Moelleux Première Trie is pretty gorgeous with its sweet embrace (71g/L residual sugar) caressing the palate like a silky-smooth velouté. It sits calmly in the mouth, showing the typical fruit-forward character of the site, all oranges, chamomile and violets. The deeply satisfying finish provides the merest of grips, and fresh acid makes your mouth water. Already delicious in its youth, this wine has the concentration, acidity and sweetness to age gracefully, as Huet fans will know well.HK$6,910.00 -
Wine Spectator (95)
From green clay and pebbly silex soils, the 2018 Vouvray Le Mont Demi-Sec offers a clear, intense but elegant and sublime nose that intermixes ripe fruit and ginger aromas with spicy-flinty notes. Very well articulated and precise on the nose, it is lush and intense on the palate, with a good structure and complex finish. This is a highly promising Vouvray whose combination of 14% alcohol and unfermented sugar asks for a couple of years of cellar aging. The finish is salty, pure, tight and vibrantly fresh. A gorgeous, highly energetic wine. Tasted in May 2019.HK$1,680.00 -
Wine Advocate (95+)
The 2018 Vouvray Le Mont Moelleux Première Trie is pure, deep and flinty on the concentrated nose, with very fine oak, toffee and potted ginger aromas. Lush, sweet and generous yet precise and crystalline on the palate, it features very fine tannins, lingering salinity and positive energy. This is a compact, persistent, tightly woven and stimulating Chenin from the Le Mont terroir that reveals firm, tensioned structure and a young finish with potential to improve and refine. Tasted in May 2019.HK$6,720.00 -
Wine Advocate (95+)
The 2018 Vouvray Le Mont Moelleux Première Trie is pure, deep and flinty on the concentrated nose, with very fine oak, toffee and potted ginger aromas. Lush, sweet and generous yet precise and crystalline on the palate, it features very fine tannins, lingering salinity and positive energy. This is a compact, persistent, tightly woven and stimulating Chenin from the Le Mont terroir that reveals firm, tensioned structure and a young finish with potential to improve and refine. Tasted in May 2019.HK$3,750.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (90)
Bright straw color with delicate bubbles. Intensely perfumed bouquet displays pear skin, nectarine, honeysuckle and citrus zest. Precise and clean on the palate, offering lively citrus fruit flavors and a deeper note of peach pit, this sparkling wine is more an expression of the variety than the process. A floral quality echoes on the long, spicy finish. Given the quality of their fruit, it is understandable why Huet concentrates on this purer kind of sparkling wine rather than the more widespread Champagne method, which masks the flaws of most overcropped chenin blancs harvested by machine in Vouvray.HK$1,790.00 -
HK$4,230.00 -
The Joguet Chinon Charmes 2010 is an exquisite representation of the celebrated Cabernet Franc grapes harvested from the renowned 'Charmes' vineyard in Chinon, France. This exquisite vintage produced by Charles Joguet, a champion of mono-parcel viticulture, showcases the exceptional terroir of the Loire Valley. An enticing blend of power and vivacity achieve balance in the age-worthy, 2010 vintage.
Red fruit aromas sit harmoniously alongside herbaceous notes, a characteristic hallmark of the Cabernet Franc variety. Vinification occurred in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve the individual varietal's character. After maturation in oak casks, the Joguet Chinon Charmes 2010 offers crisp acidity, structured tannins, and a compelling minerality.
Charles Joguet's philosophy of expressing the vineyard’s identity is reflected profoundly in this bottle. His minimalist intervention winemaking style ensures the Joguet Chinon Charmes 2010 captures the exquisite essence of its origin. You’ll discover an experience akin to a journey through the famed slopes of the Loire Valley with every sip.
HK$3,485.00 -
Dive into the exquisite world of Loire Valley Cabernet Franc with the impeccable Joguet Chinon Charmes 2020. Crafted with mastery by the well-renowned Domaine Charles Joguet, this vintage encapsulates the terroir of the Chinon appellation. Harvested in the historic clay and limestone soils, the hand-picked grapes reach a perfection rarely attained. The wine showcases a deep ruby hue, revealing an innate integrity and complexity.
Joguet’s meticulous vinification ensures an alluring bouquet of ripe red fruits and earthy undertones, whilst the palate is treated to a balanced harmony of fruit and tannins, underscored by a refreshing minerality. A true reflection of nature's generosity in 2020, an exceptional vintage, the Joguet Chinon Charmes 2020 promises a longevity of up to a decade. Savour this wine to appreciate the refined craftsmanship of a producer preserving tradition, whilst constantly innovating to create a classic Loire Valley Cabernet Franc.
HK$1,840.00 -
The Joguet Chinon Clos du Chene Vert 2010 is a fine exemplar of the distinguished viticulture of the Loire Valley, crafted with expertise and passion by the esteemed Chinon wine artist, Charles Joguet. True to Chinon tradition, the wine is solely based on the noble Cabernet Franc grape, lovingly reared on limestone-clay soil in Joguet's organic vineyard, Clos du Chene Vert. This 2010 vintage, aged for 12 to 18 months in oak barrels, manifests a captivating blend of complexity and vibrancy characteristic of Joguet’s winemaking philosophy.
On the palate, the Joguet Chinon Clos du Chene Vert 2010 expresses a rare harmony of dark fruit, spice and polished tannins. Its rich and bold composition is capped by an elegantly nuanced mineral finish. Revel in the joy of sipping this exceptional wine as it continues to refine in your cellar for decades. Truly, each bottle of Joguet Chinon Clos du Chene Vert 2010 is an unparalleled testament to Chinon's magnificent terroir.
HK$4,975.00 -
Vinous (92)
The 2018 Chinon Clos du Chene Vert, Monopole is one of the top wines from Joguet, offering pure black fruit and even some mint chocolate aromas, in addition to the telltale signs of classy oak use evident in its rich, rounded vanilla notes. In the mouth, you can expect a fuller-bodied style of Cabernet Franc that never becomes heavy or lush. It retains its freshness on the finish, reminding you that we might be in a hot vintage in the Loire, but we're still in the Loire. Fine, sand-like tannins sit in the mouth while the oak-derived vanillins and dark fruit linger on the long, sinewy finish.HK$3,195.00 -
Indulge your senses with Joguet Chinon Cuvee de la Cure 2020, an impeccable expression of French viticulture artistry. This vintage is born in the prestigious appellation of Chinon in the Loire Valley, celebrated for its historic vineyards yielding complex, full-bodied wines.
Mesmerisingly rich, the wine is produced under the meticulous eye of Charles Joguet, a vintner renowned for his distinct terroir-driven approach. The fruit, cultivated in the soils of the Clos de la Cure, is skilfully hand-harvested and naturally fermented. The result is a robust, structured red wine with a great ageing potential.
Joguet Chinon Cuvee de la Cure 2020 is a testament to Cabernet Franc, a grape variety that sings in the unique soil of Chinon, delivering plump dark berries, captivating minerality, and striking freshness. Its textured palate beautifully unites earthy tones and fruity notes, enchanting every discerning connoisseur with its complexity and elegance.
HK$1,680.00 -
The Joguet Chinon Les Varennes du Grand Clos 2011 is a harmoniously balanced fine wine that speaks of the exquisite craftmanship of its producer. Hailing from the charismatic vineyards of Chinon in the Loire Valley, this bottle represents the heart of France's wine heritage. Produced by the renowned Joguet vineyards, it is a testament to their unwavering commitment to quality. The 2011 vintage flourishes with a captivating blend of flavour notes reminiscent of ripe fruits, subtly infused with a touch of earthy undertones.
Meticulously crafted using 100% organic Cabernet Franc grapes, this wine is aged in oak barrels for a period of 12 months to acquire its signature richness. The process encapsulates tradition while advocating for sustainable practices. The Joguet Chinon Les Varennes du Grand Clos 2011 is not just a bottle of wine, but an experience, a journey through the remarkable world of French viticulture. A wine connoisseur's delight, indeed.
HK$3,590.00 -
Unveiling the exquisite Joguet Chinon Les Varennes du Grand Clos 2019, a fine embodiment of French winemaking heritage. Crafted in the heart of the Loire Valley, this wine is a masterstroke by revered producer, Charles Joguet. Famous for his commitment to terroir-specific vinification, Joguet utilises a unique strain of Cabernet Franc, vinifying parcel by parcel to precisely encapsulate the distinct character of each vineyard. This particular vintage derives from a south-east facing clay-limestone slope, known as 'Les Varennes du Grand Clos'. Handpicked and meticulously sorted, the grapes then undergo spontaneous fermentation and maturation in old oak barrels. The resulting wine is a captivating synergy of robust structure, deep, dark fruit, subtle earthiness and a long, mineral finish. An effortlessly elegant choice for those who appreciate nuanced complexity. Experience the fine art of tradition and innovation with Joguet Chinon Les Varennes du Grand Clos 2019.
HK$2,625.00 -
Experience the exquisite, traditional craftsmanship of Joguet Chinon Les Varennes du Grand Clos 2020, a distinguished wine from the terroirs of France's Loire Valley. This esteemed Cabernet Franc varietal is the brainchild of Charles Joguet, a pivotal figure in the Chinon appellation, who has passionately crafted quality wines since 1957. This 2020 vintage embraces its roots, deriving from vines more than 35 years old, nurtured in silica and clay soil. Fermented in stainless steel and nurtured for about 12 months, this excellently balanced wine boasts invigorating freshness with youthful red fruit intimately interlaced with an elegant minerality. Its near crystalline purity reflects a magnificent representation of the Chinon expression. Unveiling complex layers with each sip, the Joguet Chinon Les Varennes du Grand Clos 2020 is a delightful confluence of tradition, territory, and artistic interpretation that is a must-experience for every wine enthusiast.
HK$3,850.00 -
Vinous (90)
Persistant tiny bubbles, aromas of lemon pie, lemon curd and a touch of herb and flint. In the mouth, it’s warm and generous. Clementine, grapefruit and pear, with bright swirling acidity. Balanced with a creaminess on the clean finish. Very good value. The blend is 60% Chenin, 20% Chardonnay and 20% Cabernet Franc. Spends 2 years on the lees, with11 grams dosage.HK$870.00 -
Blend:
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Tasting notes:
The color is strong with golden yellow reflections. On the nose, the attack is powerful and deep, revealing notes of candied citrus, pineapple and elderflower. On the palate, aromatic complexity, finesse and persistence. The finish is carried by a fresh and delicate wood that gives way to the salinity of the terroir.HK$1,730.00 -
Boasting a rich heritage, 'Les Quatre Piliers Chapitre I 2021' is an exquisite choice for discerning palates. This luxurious fine wine is meticulously crafted in the prestigious vineyards of France, emanating a divine harmony of flavours drawn directly from its terroir. The skill and passion of its winemaker, an embodiment of generational wisdom, bring this high-calibre libation to life.
'Les Quatre Piliers Chapitre I 2021' demonstrates an unrivalled complexity, achieved through traditional winemaking techniques. Its blend tantalises with fruity notes balanced by a refined acidity and culminates in a long, memorable finish. The ageing process in premium oak barrels furnishes the wine with subtle hints of vanilla and toasty notes, asserting a well-structured and rounded character.
Encapsulating excellence, 'Les Quatre Piliers Chapitre I 2021' defines a unique drinking experience, proving itself as an astonishing testament to fine winemaking. Discover the pinnacle of quality and craftsmanship with this remarkable French wine.
HK$2,040.00 -
Blend:
100% Chenin Blanc
Tasting notes:
Deep nose of verbena and fresh apricot. The fresh and slender mouth stretches with a saline persistence and a slightly brioche finish.HK$2,145.00 -
An exquisite exemplar of elegance, the Louis-Benjamin Dagueneau Sancerre En Chailloux 2018 embodies the craft of Loire Valley winemaking. The product of meticulous viniculture, this single vineyard Sancerre is grown in chalky clay soils, affording the Sauvignon Blanc grape the ideal conditions for full maturation. Head winemaker Louis-Benjamin Dagueneau, the son of legendary Loire winemaker Didier Dagueneau, favours purity and precision in his wines, preferring minimal intervention in the cellar to let the unique terroir speak for itself. The result? An extraordinary minerality, bright acidity and elegant notes of citrus and white peach that have become synonymous with Louis-Benjamin Dagueneau Sancerre En Chailloux 2018. As flirtatious as it is refined, this white ignites the senses with a harmonious blend of intensity, balance, and terroir-driven complexity. A delightful expressional masterpiece that confirms the Dagueneau family's reputation for producing unequalled Loire Valley whites.
HK$6,100.00 -
Immerse yourself in the world of bespoke French fins vins with the Mark Angel Ferme Sansonniere Les Gelinettes VdF 2021. Coming from the esteemed Loire Valley viticultural region, this exquisite wine exemplifies the agricultural mastery of its creator, Mark Angel. This superior vintage is the direct result of biodynamic farming and traditional harvesting techniques, which ensures a rich, organic flavour profile. The varied clay and limestone soils of the vineyard instill a unique terroir-driven character within the wine. Complex notes of ripe fruits, floral fragrances, and a lingering minerality define the tasting experience. Produced at the iconic Ferme Sansonniere, it showcases Mark Angel's commitment to making wines of integrity and purity. This admirable approach has earned them a devoted following among wine enthusiasts, making the Mark Angel Ferme Sansonniere Les Gelinettes VdF 2021 a sought-after release. Indulge in its depth and sophistication and uncover an artisanal wine that truly represents the spirit and tradition of French winemaking.
HK$6,840.00 -
Allow your senses to revel in the exquisite elegance of the Mark Angeli Ferme Sansonniere Lune Anjou 2021. Crafted by celebrated winemaker, Mark Angeli, this exemplary wine is born from the terroirs of Anjou, France. Angeli champions the bio-dynamic winemaking tradition within his 7-hectare vineyard. Hand-picked Chenin Blanc grapes go through native yeast fermentation, revealing phenomenal complexity and charm of the Anjou region in every bottle.
The natural viticulture approach results in a wine that is intensely aromatic and beautifully balanced. Nunaced layers of ripe pear, crisp apple, and honey, intertwined with subtle mineral undertones, reach a crescendo in its long, captivating finish. Rarely does one encounter a Chenin Blanc with such compelling richness and vitality; it's a testament to Angeli's fervour for quality and authenticity. The Mark Angeli Ferme Sansonniere Lune Anjou 2021 represents the epitome of top-tier bio-dynamic winemaking. A veritable gourmet's delight - an enchanting addition to any fine wine collection.
HK$7,020.00 -
Matthew Jukes (20)
I tasted this wine for the very first time on the 31st of January and it moved me so much that I wanted to write it up on the spot. It was clear to me that this bottle was a once in a lifetime Sauvignon Blanc experience. I was told I couldn’t review it because it was a preview sample and it was not due into the UK until later in the year. Since first tasting this wine I have been playing a game of trying to think of a finer wine made from this oft-derided and seemingly out-of-fashion-with-the-cognoscenti grape. From the hundreds of labels made by the acknowledged Sauvignon Blanc masters of the universe, I cannot think of a single wine which combines all of the epic SB attributes in one single wine. Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux, Haut Brion Blanc (ok, this has Semillon on board), Gembrook Hill, early Cloudy Bays, countless Chavignols from Cotat, Redde’s own wines, Cantine Terlano, Colterenzio, Reverdy, Spottswoode, Casa Marín, Dagueneau, Dog Point, Jackson Estate, The Berrio, Iona, Viña Leyda, Dry Creek Vineyards, Larry Cherubino’s epic 2017, The Lane Vineyard’s Gathering (again with Semillon loitering with intent), Shaw Smith, Cape Point Vineyards, Duckhorn, Greywacke, Boulay, Pellé and on and on, are all fantastic Sauvignons, but they are not as complete nor as enchanting at 2017 Barre à Mine. We can all circumnavigate the globe and pick any one of a hundred talented Sauvignon Blanc wizards’ creations and while their wines are undoubtedly delicious, impactful and worthy of admiration, I cannot remember a bottle which has the cosmic balance or the inescapable magic that this one does. I tasted it again last night and came to the conclusion that this is a wine which cannot be improved so, while I never thought that this day would come, I am overjoyed to give a Sauvignon Blanc a perfect 20/20 in my tasting notes. Barre à Mine translates as ‘Crowbar’. Never has such a blunt instrument inspired such an exquisite flavour.HK$3,600.00 -
Vinous (90)
First harvested in 2014, this 10,000-vine plot was created by basically exploding large blocks of flint with dynamite to obtain a flint-rich vineyard full of large rocks. The result is a creamy, silken 2019 Pouilly-Fumé Barre à Mine that is welcoming; flavor-wise, it's all ground almonds and oyster shell with masses of acidity. There's a firmness on the finish due to the flinty soils, providing upright structure and freshness, but once again, as with other 2019s, the alcohol gets in the way of the finish. An appetizing yet structured wine.HK$2,580.00 -
Vinous (93)
Produced from a flint site that needed to be blown up to make the terroir and made from relatively young vines, this is initially a tender and supple style with a whiff of gunsmoke/flint, a taut line of precision that runs through its core, a mere hint of green herbs reminding you that Pouilly is a Sauvignon producer and even a hint of white pepper. It's a powerful style that has an attractive sense of bitterness holding it together. At just 13%, this is wonderfully balanced, aromatic and driven in this vintage. You may even feel this sense of spice that warms the palate, almost like you've had a warming Indian curry - it's not the alcohol but something else - maybe it's the lint. Unique and intriguing.HK$2,385.00 -
Vinous (85)
My birth year will not go down in history as the stuff of legends: a relatively cool year without much botrytis and a fairly low residual level for the 1981 Moulin Touchais Coteaux du Layon. It's a touch smoky with some earthy characters alongside sweet apple. While it's sweet (76g/L) and round, it retains a surprising amount of tension, providing an almost refreshing finish. It's a fairly straightforward sweet style with modest length but it provided good milestone toasting.HK$4,760.00 -
HK$3,850.00 -
Vinous (94)
Hailing from a warm vintage that was one of the best in what would otherwise have been a fairly ordinary decade, the 1985 Moulin Touchais Coteaux du Layon is starting to take on a deep golden appearance, commencing to amber. It offers a gorgeous, suave texture and a very complex nose that's a touch oxidative but that adds a layer of additional intrigue: it's all nuts, raisins, walnuts, olives, warm pastry, cinnamon, cooked orange peel. It's round and sweet (95g/L) but not unctuous with richness on the mid-palate while retaining enough acidity to refresh the mouth on the long finish. A wine that is very comfortable in its own skin, providing a very relaxing experience.HK$2,770.00 -
HK$2,715.00 -
HK$2,515.00
