Touraine 2013

A very good vintage, 2013 in Touraine showed that patience and a cool head can work wonders—even when the weather seems to be playing a prank. After a cold, soggy spring (think November cosplaying as April) and severe hailstorms that devastated Vouvray, things weren’t looking great. But a dry, sunny September turned the tide, allowing sauvignon and chenin grapes to reach solid maturity. The resulting dry whites display a lively freshness, subtle floral aromas, and a firm mineral edge, as seen in standout cuvées from Domaine du Paradis or Fontenay, both praised for their finesse. True, 2013 lacks the brilliance of 2014, but it holds its own with honesty and precision, especially in a Loire context where few appellations truly excelled that year. Rating: 3.8/5. Just goes to show—even tricky years can yield gems… if you know where to look.