Domaine Taille Aux Loups

We have been fans of these wines for a good few years now but the quality, miraculously, still seems to keep improving. Jacky Blot is a perfectionist and everything possible is done to achieve the ultimate quality. Yields here are extremely low, averaging 25 hl/ha. The grapes are all hand picked in successive tris and then sorted once again prior to pressing. The wines are then given a double debourbage (what was I saying about not doing things by halves!) and solely natural yeasts start the fermentation. All the wines are fermented and matured in four-year-old Bordeaux barriques - mainly purchased from Chateau Yquem. The wines remain on their lees with battonage performed each week. Jacky produces an array of fine wine, but once again it is his Montlouis Remus that I was compelled to purchase. This wine is produced from very old vines part vinified and matured in a variety of new oak casks - Nevers, Limousin and Alliers. As many of you are doubtless aware, I am very wary of new oak, especially on a grape such as Chenin. However, there are no reservations here! The Reumus is brilliant and the oak integrates superbly with the weight and structure of fruit which in turn is balanced by a fine acidity.