Jacky Blot

This is juicy, lightly peppery, bright and elegantly smooth Cabernet Franc which is wonderful in its youth. The fruit comes from the bottom part of the slope, hence 'Pied' - foot. This is in contrast to the mid-slope fruit goes into the age-worthy, denser 'Mi-Pente' cuvée. Some vines at the bottom are as old as 80 years, so although the wine is juicy, upfront, and invitingly drinkable, the finish is sustained and persistent with old vine intensity taking this above a simple easy-drinking wine. It’s got a wonderful sour cherry note, with lightly smoky notes.

This is as good an introduction to Montlouis as you’ll find, and a top class example of great Chenin Blanc that shows well from early on. The charming nose shows crabapple blossom, followed by the tart bramley apple acidity typical of Chenin Blanc on the palate, along with a lightly phenolic grip. Rémus might be the domaine's entry level white but its quality is not to be underestimated. It’s simply made in a style that Jacky knew would drink well from youth, so don’t hesitate to pull the cork. Smoky, expressive, and precise. It is the final vintage that Jacky made before passing away in summer 2023.

Some of the vines in this vineyard are over 100 years old, and the wine always has a thrilling concentration and precision. In this 2021 the fruit is chiselled, nicely tart, with a delicious fresh ripeness underneath - everything you want from Chenin Blanc. This was arguably the wine that persuaded me this is the best vintage from Jacky Blot I've ever tasted.

This is as good an introduction to Montlouis as you’ll find, and a top class example of great Chenin Blanc that shows well from early on. The charming nose shows crabapple blossom, followed by the tart bramley apple acidity typical of Chenin Blanc on the palate, along with a lightly phenolic grip. Rémus might be Jacky’s entry level white but its quality is not to be underestimated. It’s simply made in a style that Jacky thinks will drink well from youth, so don’t hesitate to pull the cork. Smoky, expressive, and precise in 2021.

All the fruit for this blend comes from two parcels found at the bottom part of the slope. Some vines here are as old as 80 years, so although the attack of this wine is juicy, upfront, and invitingly drinkable, the finish is sustained and persistent with that old vine concentration taking this above a simple easy-drinking wine. It’s got a wonderful sour cherry note, with lightly smoky notes. This always works well in its youth.

This is as good an introduction to Montlouis as you’ll find. The fruit profile is centred on apple and blossom, and the palate has the tart cooking-apple acidity of great Chenin Blanc, along with a lovely lightly phenolic grip. Rémus might be Jacky’s entry level white but its quality is not to be underestimated. It’s simply made in a style that Jacky thinks will drink well from youth, so don’t hesitate to pull the cork. Smoky, expressive, and bursting with pineapple aromas in 2020.

As the name suggests, this fruit comes from the top of the slope. The fruit feels darker than that of the Pied de la Butte, and the tannins are more present. It shows very sophisticated and clean fruit on the nose, with a whisper of mineral, iodine smoke. Taut tannins and a surprisingly dense finish round off an impressive wine.

This is as good an introduction to Montlouis as you’ll find. The fruit profile is centred on apple and blossom, and the palate has the tart cooking-apple acidity of great Chenin Blanc, along with a lovely lightly phenolic grip. Rémus might be Jacky’s entry level white but its quality is not to be underestimated. It’s simply made in a style that Jacky thinks will drink well from youth, so don’t hesitate to pull the cork.

As the name suggests, this fruit comes from the top of the slope. The fruit feels darker than that of the Pied de la Butte, and the tannins are more present. There’s a graphite, savoury complexity to the dark fruit. The texture on the palate is great, quite structured and tight now, but with the potential to carry this wine for many years.

This comes from the mid-slope, where drainage and ripeness are at their best. It produces greater concentration than the others, and has the structure to age well. This is full of dark fruit, with smooth tannins mellowed by the slight increase in oak influence. This is the gem of Jacky’s reds.

Some vines in Les Hauts de Husseau are over 100 years old, and this wine’s complexity and concentration is outstanding. It has Chenin’s typical orchard notes of crisp, tart apple, with some generous honey and apricot tones woven through. This is rich, textured Chenin Blanc with a delicious silkiness.

This comes from the top parcel on the slope. It has lovely dark fruit and bright acidity. This is lively as well as elegant and precise. A silky mouthfeel and a long finish round off what is the dark horse of ‘la Butte’.

Exotic and floral, without the autolytic character of other cuvées. The fruit is sumptuous, there’s citrus and almost orange flower water, mandarin and peaches. It’s ripe with impressive volume, but the acidity keeps it fresh and driven

An expressive nose, with crunchy fruit and impressive volume. It coats the mouth, so textured and mineral, with white flowers and real energy.

One of Jacky’s ex-Vouvrays. Stone fruit and honey, with rich texture and superb balance. There a leesy richness and a hint of smoke, but it’s elegant and fresh on the palate, and wonderfully drinkable.

This sparkling Chenin Blanc has fast become one of our go-to fizzes. It has zero chaptalisation, zero liqueur de tirage, and zero dosage, so is as dry as they come. This 'méthode ancestral' is the same as that used to make Pet-Nats (pétillant naturel) where the fermentation is finished in bottle. But unlike a Pet Nat, this sees the lees disgorged at the end, meaning the finished wine is crystal clear. The crisp orchard fruit aromas combined with a complex biscuity character on the nose are followed by taut precision and depth of flavour on the palate. The texture of the bubbles is spot on: creamy and persistent. It's one of the most interesting, delicious, and best value sparkling wines you'll find.

This sparkling Chenin Blanc has fast become one of our go-to fizzes. Just like the rosé, this has zero chaptalisation, zero liqueur de tirage, and zero dosage, and is as dry as they come. This ancestral methode is the same as that used to make Pet-Nats (pétillant naturel) where the fermentation is finished in bottle. But unlike a Pet Nat, this sees the lees disgorged at the end, meaning the finished wine is crystal clear. The crisp orchard fruit aromas combined with a complex biscuity character on the nose are followed by taut precision and depth of flavour on the palate. The texture of the bubbles is spot on: creamy and persistent.

This sparkling Chenin Blanc has fast become one of our go-to fizzes. It has zero chaptalisation, zero liqueur de tirage, and zero dosage, so is as dry as they come. This 'méthode ancestral' is the same as that used to make Pet-Nats (pétillant naturel) where the fermentation is finished in bottle. But unlike a Pet Nat, this sees the lees disgorged at the end, meaning the finished wine is crystal clear. The crisp orchard fruit aromas combined with a complex biscuity character on the nose are followed by taut precision and depth of flavour on the palate. The texture of the bubbles is spot on: creamy and persistent. It's one of the most interesting, delicious, and best value sparkling wines you'll find.