Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Mr. Morgat consented to meet with me but declined to have his wines formally reviewed. But I was able to acquire a bottle of the 2017 La Croisée des Chenins for review. Revealing a floral, citrusy bouquet with aromas of menthol, spring flowers, confit citrus and exotic fruits, the wine is medium to full-bodied, layered and seamless with a satiny, penetrating finish. There is captivating precision here.
Unquestionably one of the most diverse grape varieties, Chenin Blanc can do it all. It shines in every style from bone dry to unctuously sweet, oaked or unoaked, still or sparkling and even as the base for fortified wines and spirits. Perhaps Chenin Blanc’s greatest asset is its ever-present acidity, maintained even under warm growing conditions. Somm Secret—Landing in South Africa in the mid 1800s, today the country has double the acreage of Chenin Blanc planted compared to France. There is also a new wave of dedicated producers committed to restoring old Chenin vines.
Known for its delightful whites and sparkling Pétillant and Mousseux, made predominantly of Chenin blanc, Anjou has a temperate and dry maritime climate. The region's limited temperature variations are admiringly referred to locally as the “douceur angevine,” or “Anjou sweetness.” Fruit forward rosé and red wines from Cabernet Franc and Gamay merit Anjou its success within the Loire subregions.