Loire by Lay & Wheeler

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Loire Wines Introduction

Vignobles Nantais

Vignobles de l’Orléanais

Vignobles d’Anjou et Saumur

Vignobles du Centre-Loire

Orleans

Vignobles de Touraine

Loir

Blois

Angers Nantes

Tours

Loire

Amboise

Saumur

Chinon

Sancerre

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Bourges

Nevers

Ind

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Moulins

Creuse

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Roanne

ATLANTIC OCEAN

Clermont-Ferrand LOIRE

FRANCE

KEY TO SYMBOLS

Introduction

White Wine

Recommended Drinking Dates

Discover a delightful variety of wines as we travel from west to east, through the vast and diverse Loire Valley.

All prices quoted are for wine In Bond

Wines will arrive in the UK from June 2014 onwards.

Red Wine Rosé Wine

All prices quoted are for wine In Bond

Aged to perfection over 160 years - Lay & Wheeler 1854 - 2014

Loire I often quiz my colleagues on where in the world they would choose if they could only drink from one region. Their answer? Of course, it’s impossible – by its nature, wine is varied and diverse. But it’s difficult to refute the breadth of styles, never mind the romance, beauty, châteaux and gastronomy that the Loire Valley has in abundance: light-drinking Muscadet from the coastal regions; age worthy Chenin Blanc – both dry and honeyed; Cabernet from Chinon, either light and eminently drinkable or with St-Emilion-like structure and class; not to mention some incredible sparkling wines and the world’s best, mineral-rich Sauvignon. Excluding a small handful of premium icons, the wines sell for a fraction of the price in comparison to their fine wine counterparts from other French regions. The Loire is a serious contender for my conundrum, and given the summer ahead, I may well stock up. As with all our offers, we aim to source the best. Our Loire range is no exception – an imbibable feast of the leading proponent from each appellation. These wines are the finest examples of their respective terroirs, and we are delighted to be able to include them in our offer.

Vintage Report 2012 was an exceptional vintage and was always going to be a hard act to follow, however our thoroughly successful visit to the Loire this year proved that the most revered winemakers earn their reputation, producing excellent wines in 2013. The key was spending time in the vineyard, encouraging optimum ripeness of the grapes through careful canopy management. With many less scrupulous winemakers succumbing to rot, we were thrilled to see just how well the wines were showing. Lower alcohol levels and more elegant weight have in many cases allowed the nuanced, mineral complexity to shine through. The finest Muscadets have turned out perfectly, the best Sauvignons are structured and classic, whilst the successful Chenins are simply brilliant. Our 2013 selection includes only the very best wines, all of which offer excellent early drinking as well a little extra bottle age. Be that as it may, it is impossible to ignore how exceptionally successful the 2012 vintage was for the Loire. Many producers of course, have only just released their 2012 vintage, so we are delighted to be able to offer the best of these at their immediate release.

Micah Dougall, Buying Assistant

To purchase please call 01473 313 300 • sales@laywheeler.com • laywheeler.com/loire

Loire Wines

Domaine des Herbauges, Côtes du Grandlieu As Lay & Wheeler celebrates its 160th anniversary this year, the Choblet family at Domaine des Herbauges are celebrating their 150th. Acclaimed as one of the pillars of the Muscadet region, the domaine’s quality-minded ethos historically defied the orthodoxy of its locality, the Côtes de Grandlieu having only been awarded its AOC in the late 1990s. Here on the shores of the Lac de Grand-Lieu, the sandy, stony soils produce more supple, denser Muscadet than their northeasterly neighbours. The success of the appellation is in no small part due to the four generations of the Choblet family and their commitment to quality winemaking.

2013 La Roche Blanche Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu sur Lie One of the more recent parcels of land to which Luc Choblet and

Drinking 2014 - 2015

son Jérome have devoted a separate bottling. Produced from vines grown since the domaine’s certification of integrated and sustainable

£27 per 6 bottles

agriculture, the hallmark style of Grandlieu is very notable. Soft, juicy texture in the mouth with saline richness and appealing fruit. The balance is excellent and the freshness, delicious.

All prices quoted are for wine In Bond

Aged to perfection over 160 years - Lay & Wheeler 1854 - 2014

Louis Métaireau, Sèvre-et-Maine If Jérome Herbauges is the star of Côtes de Grandlieu, Louis Métaireau represents the best that the popular Sèvre-et-Maine appellation has to offer. Grand Mouton is located in the heart of the region on a 23 hectare slope that falls away from a high plateau down to the river Maine, close to the village of Saint Fiacre. The oldest vines were planted in 1937 and it is these which form the largest component of the estate’s eponymously named flagship cuvée.

2013 Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine sur Lie, Petit Mouton Louis Métaireau’s second wine shows exactly why Muscadet can be

Drinking 2014 - 2015

so inexpensive and yet so delicious. Made from 30 year old vines and absorbing plenty of mineral character from the siliceous rock,

£28 per 6 bottles

there’s a wonderful balance here between pithy fruit character and minerals. Fresh but soft and extremely enjoyable.

2013 Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine sur Lie, Grand Mouton As in 2012, this is a serious Muscadet of exceptional balance and texture.

Drinking 2014 - 2015

The flagship wine of the estate is produced from 50 year old vines resulting in great fruit ripeness with more mineral complexity than the Petit

£48 per 6 bottles

Mouton: oyster shell and crushed rock, alongside a richer, nutty quality and

57 per 3 magnums

pure apple fruit. The best Sèvre-et-Maine Muscadet we’ve tasted this year.

To purchase please call 01473 313 300 • sales@laywheeler.com • laywheeler.com/loire

Loire Wines

Jérémie Mourat, Fiefs Vendéens Drive down the coast from Muscadet, roughly an hour from Nantes, and you’ll discover the Loire’s most southerly appellation, Fiefs Vendéens. Idyllic countryside and coastal market towns await, and the wines are exciting, dynamic and serious value for money. Jérémie Mourat is a master of the terroir here, making good use of locally permitted varietals which thrive in the warmth. The volcanic schist soils are clearly expressed through organic viticulture.

2012 Clos St. André Chenin Blanc produced in a classic dry Vouvray style but with

Drinking 2014 - 2016

10% Chardonnay adding to the rich and nutty complexity. Pears and cream with subtle spice and good freshness. Vinified in giant

£45 per 6 bottles

concrete eggs to retain purity, this is a delicious, sun-drenched example of what the appellation can produce.

2013 Mareuil Rosé, Château Marie de Fou Almost Provence-like in style, this eminently drinkable rosé from

Drink now

Mourat punches well above its price point exploiting Pinot Noir’s summer fruits character. Soft and delicate but with plenty of fruit,

£36 per 6 bottles

and clean, balancing acidity, this is perfect for all manner of summer dishes and extremely moreish.

All prices quoted are for wine In Bond

Aged to perfection over 160 years - Lay & Wheeler 1854 - 2014

Domaine des Forges, Coteaux du Layon Stéphane is a vociferous character in the Loire who has been central in successfully campaigning for Grand Cru and Premier Cru status for the Quarts de Chaume and Coteaux de Layon. His wines display the qualities of the extraordinary terroir in this corner of France and perfectly express the schist and carboniferous soils that make up this region’s finest parcels. These are surely the best Chenin Blanc wines in the world, whose minute yields help to create intensely concentrated, beautifully defined examples of the grape. A remarkably under-appreciated domaine which is deservedly beginning to take its place in the spotlight.

2013 Coteaux du Layon A stunning effort from Stéphane in another vintage where crop is

Drinking 2015 - 2020

limited. Carefully selected to include only ripe, concentrated grapes, this was a stand out winner from Loire this year for wines of this style

£36 per 6 bottles

and price. Fresh and aromatic with honey and pear, flowers and quince; the palate is clean and elegant with a freshness that balances out the enjoyable sweetness.

2012 Savennières Clos du Papillon The archetypal Chenin Blanc at a price that belies its quality, this is

Drinking 2014 - 2017

Forges’ dry offering, and a brilliant one at that. Clean, concentrated golden pear fruit with washed hay and rich in nuts; the palate is

£54 per 6 bottles

creamy and unctuous yet fresh and dry. Impressive length and utterly delicious; classy Savennières.

To purchase please call 01473 313 300 • sales@laywheeler.com • laywheeler.com/loire

Loire Wines

Domaine du Closel, Savennières This famous domaine has been the source of remarkable Savennières since the appellation was first created in 1952 and whose attractive property, Château des Vaults, dates back to the 15th Century. The 17 hectares are expertly managed by the delightful Evelyne de Jessey-Pontbriand, a direct descendant of the Closel family, and the latest in a line of talented women to take their place at the helm of the estate. Evelyne originally trained as a teacher, but today she is more focussed on nurturing vines rather than students. She has brought about significant developments in both vineyard and cellar practices; the most notable being the conversion to organic farming. The wines made here are exceptionally complex and age-worthy expressions of Chenin Blanc from prized sites in the appellation.

2012 Savennières Whilst this may be the ‘entry level’ wine from the estate, there is no

Drinking 2014 - 2020

denying its pedigree. It displays a serious pithy, chalky, citrus and apple peel aroma accompanied by nutty, smoky and creamy oak

£72 per 6 bottles

notes. There is considerable fullness to the palate too providing a beautiful spiced honey flavour, with absolute purity, crystalline acidity and wonderful concentration. The length seems to be everlasting. Truly fantastic; not to be missed.

2011 Savennières Clos du Papillon Capable of producing wines above the reach of normal Savennières, the

Drinking 2014 - 2020

vineyard Clos du Papillon produces the appellation’s most serious, intense and sought-after wines and Domaine du Closel’s effort is characterful and

£108 per 6 bottles

brilliant. Using second-hand barrels from Bonneau du Martray in Burgundy and extended lees ageing, there is huge savoury depth to match the focussed, mineral, flower and nut complexity. This is outstanding.

All prices quoted are for wine In Bond

Aged to perfection over 160 years - Lay & Wheeler 1854 - 2014

Bouvet Ladubay, Saumur The Loire’s principal sparkling wine dynasty was for a period owned by revered Champagne house, Taittinger. Throughout this time it remained under the direction of the Monmousseau family who bought the estate in 1932. The range has always been superb value for money and includes some vintage cuvées of Champagne-modelling. The Saphir came about in 1971 when Patrice Monmousseau was searching for a precious name for his new vintage cuvée. While waterskiing on the Loire river with his fiancée, the newly acquired sapphire engagement ring was sadly lost to the water, giving rise to the legacy of Saphir.

2011 Saphir Brut Saumur AOC Blanc Brut A little taste of Champagne but with the delicacy of the Loire Valley.

Drinking 2014 - 2018

There’s a subtlety to the nose whilst still having the all-important biscuit, brioche character and a creamy-soft texture thanks to the

£42 per 6 bottles

exclusively Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc blend. Moreish and refreshing with a nice touch of orchard fruit. Tremendous value.

To purchase please call 01473 313 300 • sales@laywheeler.com • laywheeler.com/loire

Photography © Sophie Boursier

Loire Wines

Bruno Sourdais, Chinon Always hugely popular in Paris, the Chinon appellation produces some of France’s most drinkable and refreshing red wines. Since taking over in 2008, sixth generation winemaker, Bruno Sourdais, fashions delectable Cabernet Franc in the lighter style of Chinon and they are exceptional value for money. The emphasis here is on traditional winemaking with a careful approach in the vineyard and a vinification which sees all the reds passing through wood at some stage. In spite of the humble price tags, Bruno is rightly considered one of the top producers in the appellation.

2013 Chinon La Bouchardière Made to a beautifully aromatic recipe thanks to a slow, temperature

Drinking 2014 - 2015

controlled fermentation and the flinty white clay soil of La Bouchardière vineyard, this is quintessential Chinon. Summer bramble berries with

£30 per 6 bottles

delicate sweetness of fruit and lightness of touch, plenty of juicy freshness on the palate and a fine integrated texture.

2012 Chinon Le Chêne Vert Humble he may be, but savvy Bruno does occupy a one hectare parcel of

Drinking 2014 - 2017

the venerated Chêne Vert vineyards, shared with fellow top producer Charles Joguet. The site enjoys a south-west facing, 20% incline and is one of the

£39 per 6 bottles

best spots in Chinon. Pure, ripe cherries and blackcurrants with just a hint of pencil shavings and a juicy sweetness from the barriques. A steal at the price.

All prices quoted are for wine In Bond

Aged to perfection over 160 years - Lay & Wheeler 1854 - 2014

Charles Joguet, Chinon Poet, philosopher and vigneron, Charles Joguet built up a deserved reputation for making exceptional, age-worthy Chinons which are arguably some of the finest red wines in the region. Here, in the heart of the Loire Valley, between Saumur and Tours, the climate softens, the earth warms, and Cabernet Franc grapes flourish sufficiently to make succulent, serious and concentrated red wines. Their rich truffle and spice flavours are equal to many of the best mature wines of Saint-Emilion – and at a fraction of the price. Charles Joguet was the first producer in the region to make single-vineyard cuvées, now boasting the fitting accomplishment of being able to sell out en primeur.

2012 Chinon Les Charmes Northern sun exposure and cold maceration give Les Charmes a

Drinking 2015 - 2018

wonderful coolness and balance, comfortably justifying the charm tag. There’s a pretty but ripe fruit profile – strawberries, raspberries,

£66 per 6 bottles

cherries – with good concentration from the very low yields. Juicy flesh on the palate, appealing grip from the tannins and an elegant finish. An excellent vintage for Cabernet Franc.

2012 Chinon Les Varennes du Grand Clos Deeper and darker than Les Charmes with more extraction from the

Drinking 2015 - 2018

longer maceration and concentration from the gravelly limestone soils in Sazilly. Gorgeously ripe and open nose of plum and coulis

£78 per 6 bottles

fruits, with spice and more noticeable oak influence that will continue to integrate further over the coming years. Despite its youth an already superb freshness and a sumptuous palate.

2012 Clos du Chêne Vert One of Chinon’s oldest lieux-dit, Le Chêne Vert is legendary. A steep

Drinking 2016 - 2020

southwest slope with clay and calcareous soil, this parcel consistently produces some of Chinon’s best grapes. In 2012, Joguet has produced

£96 per 6 bottles

something wonderful from this site: pure expressive fruit compote with vibrancy and depth, mineral backbone and wonderful freshness. This is undoubtedly one of Joguet’s most serious and age-worthy wines.

To purchase please call 01473 313 300 • sales@laywheeler.com • laywheeler.com/loire

Loire Wines

Sébastien Brunet, Vouvray Young, up and coming, dynamic and talented, Sébastien Brunet inherited his Vouvray estate from his late father in 2006. Incredibly, what was a mere three hectares only a generation before has now expanded to 37, and the organically-minded domaine is destined for big things. Sébastien’s remarkable skill for winemaking results in some excellent Vouvray; his top wines are bottled separately according to soil type, carefully fermented in barrel and then aged in foudres to achieve the right balance. The result is archetypal Vouvray – dry, fresh and mineral yet concentrated, complex and incredibly age-worthy.

2012 Vouvray Renaissance Sec A separate bottling from 50+ year old vines grown on Vouvray’s

Drinking 2014 - 2017

flagship tuffeau soil, a chalky limestone-clay that gives the wines their serious staying power. Impressively structured and dry but with

£57 per 6 bottles

a soft, saline texture, intense apple fruit and savoury complexity. Sébastien is a rising star!

All prices quoted are for wine In Bond

Aged to perfection over 160 years - Lay & Wheeler 1854 - 2014

Domaine de la Taille aux Loups, Montlouis-sur-Loire Having created the domaine in 1988, Jacky Blot is now widely recognised as the greatest producer of the oft-overlooked appellation, Montlouis-sur-Loire, situated on the southern bank of the river Loire opposite Vouvray. These prized vineyards consist entirely of ancient Chenin Blanc vines, whose sandy soil base brings a lift and elegance to otherwise rich and concentrated wines. Jacky and his son Jean-Philippe maintain scrupulously high standards in the vineyard, producing complex wines which are consistently some of the most exciting to come out of the Loire Valley. In 2011, France’s eminent wine critics Bettane & Desseauve voted Jacky the best winemaker in France.

2013 Montlouis-Sur-Loire Rémus Astonishingly, Jacky’s Rémus is produced from vines between 50

Drinking 2015 - 2018

and 80 years of age and yielding just 20 hectolitres per hectare. The result is an über-silky, leesy-rich Chenin with rounded stone fruits,

£84 per 6 bottles

crystallised apple and almonds, and a delicate honey-marzipan note. Needless to say, it’s delicious; incredible mouthfeel and impossible not to swallow on tasting.

To purchase please call 01473 313 300 • sales@laywheeler.com • laywheeler.com/loire

Loire Wines

Denis Jamain, Reuilly Family-owned since its creation in the 1930s, this 15 hectare organic estate is run by charming and erudite Denis Jamain. Reuilly is situated just south-west of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé sharing the same prized Kimmeridgian limestone soils which connect the Loire Valley with Chablis in Burgundy. Working with all three permitted varieties, Denis champions this small but not insignificant appellation, fashioning old vine grapes into wines with expressive varietal character. These are fantastic value wines from Reuilly’s undisputed leading producer.

2013 Reuilly Blanc, Les Pierres Plates Recognised as early as the 7th century for its capacity to naturally

Drinking 2014 - 2015

ripen grapes, the ‘flat limestone’ vineyard of Les Pierres Plates is the best in Reuilly. This wonderful wine from the often unsung

£45 per 6 bottles

appellation is a delight with lemon pith and bursting with freshness but also the classic mineral quality of Loire Sauvignon, great texture and finish.

2013 Reuilly Rouge, Les Pierres Plates Equally fantastic is Denis’ pure and unadulterated Pinot Noir.

Drinking 2014 - 2016

Untouched by oak, Les Pierres Plates epitomises the region’s scented fruity reds and stands out as one of the best this year. Impressively

£45 per 6 bottles

concentrated with enticing dark cherry and blueberry fruit, hints of spice and a delicious juicy palate. A fabulous wine for the summer.

All prices quoted are for wine In Bond

Aged to perfection over 160 years - Lay & Wheeler 1854 - 2014

Domaine La Tour St. Martin, Menetou-Salon The vineyards of Menetou-Salon usually play second fiddle to their more illustrious neighbours, Pouilly Fumé and Sancerre. However, in the commune of Morogues, where the gregarious Bertrand Minchin owns a considerable 17 hectares, the wines are unquestionably first rate. Like much of the terroir of Sancerre, Menetou-Salon is planted primarily on Kimmeridgian marl, essentially an old seabed beset with fossilised sea life. Season that with the clay found locally, and you’ll see the wines are richer, more concentrated and more aromatic than are often found in Sancerre. Bertrand clearly gets the best out of this and the wines are truly crafted, such is the man’s work rate and hands-on approach. The Honorine is his pride and joy.

2012 Menetou-Salon Honorine This stunning Sauvignon has a perfumed, chalky and lifted passion

Drinking 2014 - 2016

fruit character, with subtle flinty and nutty notes coming through. With the benefit of some careful barrel ageing, the palate shows

£72 per 6 bottles

incredible concentration and texture, with mouthwatering freshness and a touch of honey. This is a serious Sauvignon Blanc.

To purchase please call 01473 313 300 • sales@laywheeler.com • laywheeler.com/loire

Loire Wines

Vincent Pinard, Bué, Sancerre “Top notch Sancerres from a leading family domaine”, as Jacqueline Freidrich puts it in her book ‘The Wines of France’, and it’s clear to see why. With centuries of winemaking in the family, Vincent Pinard is based in Bué, occupying the best sites Sancerre has to offer. Super-low yields, 40 year old vines and premium pebblelimestone soils make for a winning formula. The ethos here is on minimal intervention, with everything done organically and by hand, the hard work mantra being effectuated by Pinard’s constant innovation. His wines are not to be missed.

2012 Sancerre Cuvée Nuance Vincent was one of the first producers in Sancerre to vinify his wines

Drinking 2014 - 2016

in barrel, but done so brilliantly as to not lose the classic character. The Nuance sees only a few months of oak for a portion of the wine,

£156 per 12 bottles

resulting in delicate softness and elegant spice notes. This is simply delicious, with core apple fruit, grassy lift and the requisite wet stone quality of the region. Textbook Sancerre.

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Aged to perfection over 160 years - Lay & Wheeler 1854 - 2014

Pierre Martin, Chavignol, Sancerre Sancerre’s neighbouring town of Chavignol has largely been made famous by ‘unofficial Grand Cru’, Les Monts Damnés – the Kimmeridgean marl vineyard of which Pierre is lucky enough to own a part. Amongst a wave of talented young winemakers, Pierre is making his mark on this unique corner of the Loire Valley, following the likes of celebrated fellow winemaker, François Cotat. The wines made here have an immense purity and mineral identity, which ably reflect the varied terroir to be found: flint, limestone and silex. Volumes are very small but this is a domaine to watch.

2013 Sancerre Chavignol Almost silly value for money, the ‘straight’ Chavignol from Pierre is

Drinking 2014 - 2015

pure and focussed. Freshly aromatic, some herbaceous notes with bright lemon fruit and clementine. There’s no lack of presence on the

£120 per 12 bottles

palate with its distinctive flinty minerality – fine chalky texture that gives backbone and structure.

2012 Sancerre Les Monts Damnés Intense and mineral with roundness and structure, the Monts

Drinking 2014 - 2016

Damnés owes its weightiness to the topography of the site – south-facing and excellent soils. This is wonderfully fragrant,

£180 per 12 bottles

with cut grass and lemon pith aromas and some serious power on the palate. Substantial length with plenty of acidity and an irresistible, soft creamy texture.

2013 Sancerre Rosé If you are thinking rosé is a summer-cliché, then think again; this

Drinking 2014 - 2015

is a serious effort from Pierre, given as much of his attention as the whites. 100% Pinot Noir from 20 year old vines and raised in

£114 per 12 bottles

barrique following a natural fermentation. This is classically elegant and mineral-laden but with the power and persistence of fruit that sets it apart from many others. Worthy of higher status.

To purchase please call 01473 313 300 • sales@laywheeler.com • laywheeler.com/loire

Loire Wines

Jonathan Pabiot, Pouilly-Fumé One of the stand-out producers of this year’s Loire trade fair in Angers, Jonathan Pabiot is clearly an unstoppable talent, likened by a few to the untouchable Didier Dagueneau. “The new Didier Dagueneau?”, remarks Jacqueline Friedrich, author of the comprehensive book on the wines of the Loire Valley,“That’s easy; it’s his son, Benjamin. But Benjamin has a soul brother, Jonathan Pabiot. Together – well, each at his own domaine – they are making the best, most probing, and most exciting Pouilly-Fumés”.

2013 Pouilly Fumé One of Pouilly Fumé’s few organic properties (and partly biodynamic,

Drinking 2014 - 2016

to boot), consisting of chalk, marl and silex. This epitomises the 2013 vintage brilliantly: cooler, more elegant fruit than 2012 with delicate

£120 per 12 bottles

pear and an abundance of gunflint. Supple mouthfeel with perfect balance and mineral texture coming through. It’s impossible to ignore the amazing quality of this wine.

All prices quoted are for wine In Bond

Storing Fine Wine

Thank you for taking the time to look at these wonderful In Bond offers. These wines will improve with age and therefore storing them in a professional wine storage facility is ideal for collectors and investors alike. ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

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LOIRE En Primeur - New Releases

To purchase please call 01473 313 300 • sales@laywheeler.com • laywheeler.com Lay & Wheeler Limited, Holton Park, Holton St. Mary, Suffolk CO7 6NN Registered No. 5730318 (England). VAT Registration No. GB 637 0806 39 © 2014 Lay & Wheeler Ltd. For terms, please see www.laywheeler.com/terms