sourdough and vegetables coming off the same land
but with a backbone of bitter sweet chocolate and snappy oak
lemon and green apple while lifting the orchard-fruit character that Loch Lomond's odd straight-necked pot stills already produce
the wine that proved Napa could do a Bordeaux-style blend on its own terms
It has great drive throughout and really fans out on the finish to leave a lingering echo of citrus oil and oyster shell intensity
Brendan Stater-West Saumur Rouge 2024 NO20231025 sourdough and vegetables coming offThe same American in Saumur story applies on the red side. Brendan Stater West, who came to France to teach and ended up as Romain Guiberteau's right hand before launching his own domaine, also makes Cabernet Franc, the red grape of Saumur. This is the entry level Saumur Rouge: 100% Cabernet Franc, organically farmed, fully de stemmed, fermented with indigenous yeast, and raised in stainless steel tank on the lees with no pumping over or punching