Pale lemon yellow. Amazing life in the nose of this considering the youth of the vines. Excellent acidity and fine texture.

Mid garnet colour. A certain wildness on the nose and then great gentleness of texture. Serious wine; possibly the most serious Grolleau I have ever tasted. Relatively low acid and low tannin – ready to gobble. Great seriousness of intent. Quite long.

This blend shows dark fruit—silky plum and blueberry jam—but the wine’s steely tannins support its ripeness, and the mineral edge keeps it in line.

From the estate created by the late Anne-Claude Leflaive of Domaine Leflaive in Burgundy, this wine is beautifully structured, perfumed and ripe. Smoky tannins link with generous berry fruits to give a wine that is still aging and deserves more time. Drink from 2022.

This biodynamic estate was started in 2008 by Anne-Claude Leflaive and continued by her husband, Christian Jacques. But its history is the soil they recognized as perfect for excellent Chenin Blanc. This wine captures intense fruit and lemon and almond flavors, with a touch of oxidation that opens everything up. Drink this still-young wine from 2022.

While this perfumed wine from the Anne-Claude Leflaive Loire estate still has a firm tannic structure, it revels in its rich black fruits. Cabernet Franc is prominent in the biodynamically grown blend, layering spiciness into the ripe tannins of Cabernet Sauvignon. Wait until at least 2022 to drink this wine.

It is rare to find a red wine made from Grolleau, which is normally used for rosés. However, this rich, structured wine with funky aromas and dense tannins shows the grape's aptitude for red. From biodynamically grown grapes, the wine is worth aging more. Drink from 2022.

Rubbery, reduced, powerfully fruity nose. Lots of aromatic volume here, giving menthol, nettle and black cherry. Soft structure, very expressive flavour.

This shares the glorious ripeness of Clau de Nell’s 2015 Vin de Loire Grolleau (also recommended here). Its scents of black cherry and violet fill the mouth in a burst of freshness, clean and lasting. Tannins keep it earthbound, grounded in youthful black-pepper spice. Cellar it, and the tannins and fruit will merge into something beautiful.

Interesting cornichon topnote on sufficiently ripe fruit and just slightly dry sensation on the end. But no offputting mousiness. A proper lively, light red. This tastes healthy! (

Biodyamically grown on grés and red silex. Wonderfully expressive combination of fruit, acidity and the grip of the terroir. Super pure. Very linear and suave. Long and admirable. Acacia honey and green apples. Should continue to develop for many a long year. Needs food at this point. Lots to chew on. Very persistent. Severe, in the very best way.

Healthy crimson. Spicy and dense with a really rigorously dry finish and no shortage of tannins. The merest hint of horse. Uncompromising – a bit like the late Anne-Claude Leflaive who founded this domaine. Rather admirable – and very very French. I think Alice Feiring might love this.

This was a struggling biodynamic vineyard that attracted the attention of Anne-Claude Leflaive and her husband, Christian Jacques; they purchased it in 2008. Leflaive has since passed away, but the couple had hired Sylvain Potin, who continues to farm the Demeter certified property. The grolleau vines range from 60 to 90 years old, growing in silty clay over tuffeau, and the ripe fruit of the 2015 took this wine to a friendly sort of beauty from what is often a gruff grape...

From vines aged 60 to 90 years on grés and red silex on tuffeau. Ambient yeast and aged for 11 months on fine lees in tronconic cask. Bottled in September 2015. Firm taffeta fruit on the front palate and more fruity appeal than its Cabernet stablemates. Quite satisfying on the finish. Very different!

Two-thirds Cabernet Franc and one-third Cabernet Sauvignon have created a richly structured, deliciously perfumed wine. The tannins and ripe black fruits are just beginning to soften in this wine from the Lefaivre Loire estate's biodynamic grapes. Drink from 2021.

This wine is approaching maturity. Ripe apple and almond flavors have softened and opened up, giving intensity. Biodynamically grown grapes bring all their flavors together in a beautiful wine, created by Anne-Claude Lefaive and continued by husband, Christian Jacques, in her memory. It can be drunk now but will be better from 2021.

A rare red Grolleau, this wine has earthy aromas that lead to black fruits and firm tannins. Produced from biodynamically grown grapes, the wine still has rich potential. Drink from 2021.

This shows cassis, cedar and black pepper notes, fueled by vibrant acidity and imparting lovely freshness. A very elegant red, with lots of character, this is well-crafted and harmonious. The finish shows a bit of a grip. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2020 through 2026.

A very charming version, with tobacco leaf and oregano notes framing the core of dark cherry and mulberry, while spice details glide along the edges. Well-integrated tannins provide support, creating good balance overall. Drink now through 2024.

A bit tight and grippy, but has a beautiful flavor profile ranging from blackberry and cassis flavors to olive, bay leaf and tobacco notes. Loamy earth details emerge midpalate, as well as the fresh acidity, which provides balance and support. Give this some time to integrate. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.