The wines of Denis Jamain, Reuilly, Loire

The wines of Denis Jamain, Reuilly, Loire
Intriguing wines from Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris

Website: www.denisjamain.com

I tasted these wines with Denis Jamain, whose domaine began with two hectares of vines planted by his grandfather in 1935. In the 1990s Denis managed to acquire some more parcels with good terroir, and the domain currently stands at 17 hectares, and is fully organic. The breakdown is 11 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc, 4 hectares of Pinot Noir and, surprisingly 2 hectares of Pinot Gris, which is used to make a rosé. Interestingly, this is the only place in the Loire that allows a 100% Pinot Gris rosé.

The soils are Kimmeridgian clay/limestone, with the exception of the Pinot Gris, which is planted on gravels and sand. Denis selects the trees from his family forest each year to make barrels with.

The wines are imported into the UK by Richards Walford, and approximate retail prices are in brackets.

THE WINES

Denis Jamain Pinot Gris rosé 2010 Reuilly (cask sample)
The grapes spend 3 h in the press and pick up just a hint of pink. Lovely smooth, creamy, fruity nose. Dry, textured palate with rich texture and a lovely savoury spicy twist to the fruit. Nice depth of flavour here: real presence. 90/100 (Ł12.99)

Denis Jamain Reuilly Blanc ‘Les Pierres Plates’ 2009
Lime-rich Kimmeridgian soil. Lovely freshness. Very precise, mineral, transparent and with lovely purity. Great balance with nothing sticking out. Lovely purity of fruit: mineral and clear. 91/100 (Ł12.99)

Denis Jamain Reuilly Rouge 2009
Pinot Noir aged in steel. Lovely, pure, expressive fresh red cherry fruit nose with some gravelly notes. The palate is fresh and elegant with pure mineral cherry fruit. Expressive and elegant with freshness and grip. Light yet delicious. 91/100 (Ł12.69)

Denis Jamain Reuilly Rouge ‘Les Chęnes’ 2009
12 months ageing in oak. Elegant, fresh, cherry fruit nose, showing nice, supple pure cherry fruit on the palate with a bit of spicy warmth from the oak, as well as some grippy tannins. A very nice, fresh style. A lovely wine. 91/100 (Ł15.99)