If you remember 2011 was a hot, sunny vintage that saw rich ripe reds and luscious whites. We opened Mathieu Vallée’s Saumur Blanc last night. It’s a long time since we had so many different words to describe a wine. Ripe and rich with flavours of plum skin and pain d’epices, grapefruit, ginger and whisky. Notes of flowers and preserved lemon and more than a hint of tarte tatin! It was way too big a wine for the dinner Nigel had prepared and so after a glass we put it aside and will enjoy the rest on its own tomorrow.
