2007 LOUIS LATOUR GRAND ARDECHE

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net






2007 Louis Latour Grand Ardeche Chardonnay
#nb-15-10

Another hot summer night, so for dinner we opted for a chilled seafood salad and a cold bottle of French Chardonnay. I often prefer French Chardonnays for this kind of meal because of their steely nature, imparted by the chalky soil that many grow in. This one was the 2007 Louis Latour Grand Ardeche Chardonnay from the south-centeral region of France, and more specificly the appellation Coteaux de l'Ardeche. It was a perfect match!

The negociant Maison Louis Latour has built an excellent reputation for themselves dating back to the 17th Century. Their wines are almost always above average, and this one drinks like a thirty dollar, or more, Burgundy! It has a fragrant nose with a slight citrus overtone. The flavor is the typical apple and pear taste found in many good Chardonnays, but what I like most is the crisp steely finish. The wine was fermented in oak and underwent 100% malolactic fermentation, but does not have the fruit forward characteristics often associated with this process.

Our seafood salad was a combination of shrimp, bay scallops, and poached salmon, served with seashell pasta spritzed with fresh lime juice and extra virgin olive oil, tossed and served well chilled over a bed of romaine. No further dressing was necessary. The crisp and clean Grand Ardeche served to complete a fabulous meal which only required the finishing touch of a small baguette of French Bread.
Norm's score is an 89.

Price - $12 - $16
Score - 89

Norm

Norm's Tasting Notes available online at either:

dawsontimes.com or
pineisland-eagle.com