2005 Chateau de Bellevue Savennieres

This is a very nice bottle of wine. Fruits are subtle, showing pears, white grapefruit pith, and lemon, and an all over minerality reminiscent of licking limestone fifty feet from an ocean shoreline. Acidity is very bright. A toasty richness from new wood is not overwhelming, but shows up on the mid-palate. The finish is mid-length. Drink this with pan seared scallops at dinner, or with a big bowl of popcorn in front of a gently glowing fireplace. Recommended.

WHO: Chateau de Bellevue
WHAT: Chenin Blanc
WHERE: Savenniéres, Loire Valley, France
WHEN: 2005
HOW MUCH: $19 (media sample)