CWD: Pierre Bise Savennières Clos de Coulaine 2009

[Saina Nieminen]

Ch. Pierre Bise Savennières Clos de Coulaine 2009
Gold colour. It smells of ripe red apples (but don't mistake this aroma for the oxidative type of apple!). As promised by the scent, this is very rich and appley, dry and powerful and quite alcoholic (the 14,5% abv is quite obvious). But it also has great grip. So I don't know what to think of it: some parts seem like it's just too much, others seem nice. Sadly, this is the only Loire Chenin available here, which means that I will drink several more of these. Because even iffy Loire Chenin is better than no Loire Chenin.

So a more important question: does anyone know of a producer of good Loire Chenin who is willing to post wines within the EU? Even to such countries as Finland?

 

[Jeff Connell]

Don't know the wine. Haven't had since probably the 1999 vintage. Although your description is remarkable consistent. I was happy to drink it, in part because I never had to pay too much for it. Still have a few from earlier vintages, silly me. Though it is holding well, actually. Some parts are just too much, and others seem nice, still.

As to your question: beats me (so I needn't even answer). I'm over here in Canada and the Control Board has got things sown up pretty tight. But wouldn't seven of your eleven favourite producers be happy to send you some wine? Or surely a caviste would do it, if it came to that? Don't mind me, I'm just imagining the possibilities presented daily to the average European. Call up François Pinon in Vouvray. How's your French? His English is fine.

 

[Rahsaan]

I assume the shipping issue is about the winemaker's will and not legal issues? Because there should be no legal issue shipping from France to Finland?

But since you seem to know people in your State Monopoly and they seem to have an interest in Pierre Bise, perhaps you could convince them to import his other wines. Within his stable, I always found the Clos de Coulaine to be the least interesting dry white. Haut de la Garde, Clos le Grand Beaupréau, and Roche aux Moines should all be more complex and intriguing than the CdC.