Dominique Joseph, Le Petit Saint Vincent, Les Clos Lyzières

To recall our excitement when we first tasted this wine, step back in time and take a look at what we wrote six months ago:“A few years ago, a group of Bay Area wine professionals joined forces and started a new import company. They continuously search all over France to discover special, small production wines, many of which have never seen U.S. shores. I sat down with one of the partners to taste some of their new discoveries, and as I placed my nose in the glass to smell this Saumur-Champigny, goosebumps crept across my arms. I knew this was something special - one of those wines that truly resonates. A near-perfect expression of this pocket of the world, this 2011 Cabernet Franc, from the ideally situated ‘Les Clos Lyzières’ vineyard in Loire Valley’s appellation of Saumur-Champigny, is one of the most energetic expression of the varietal I have ever tasted. I will, without a doubt, be putting a case of this wine in my cellar. You must taste this wine to understand.” The Loire Vall