Cremant de Loire Brut Excellence Flaschengärung

-- Winedoctor : This appellation has stricter regulations than those for Saumur, in terms of mode of harvest, yield and minimum tim sur lattes, the fruit can be brought in from a much wider area, not just Saumur but from vineyards across Anjou and Touraine, and Chardonnay can play a much bigger role here. In this case this is a blend of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay. A very pale straw hue in the glass, showing a little more depth of colour than the straight Saumur, with a plentiful bead. The aromatics are very restrained at first, revealing quite pure notes of citrus fruits and yellow peach with a little time in the glass. This is followed by an equal elegant palate, combining soft crushed-chalk minerality with luxuriant kumquat and tangerine fruit, laced with wonderful peach leaf and orange pith bitterness, with a long pithy finish. This is very fine. 92/100