Lucien Aviet Savagnin 2011

“The very expressive 2011 Savagnin Reserve du Caveau matured with a veil of yeast in 225-liter barrels and a couple of demi-muids for seven years. It has good texture and cut, like a mini Vin Jaune. In fact, when I inquired why this wasn’t a Vin Jaune, they told me the Vin Jaune is just a barrel selection of this same wine that is just bottled three months later. This is just a bit lighter-bodied, with a lighter color too, but it has all the character of the Vin Jaune with a little less complexity and length. This is a what they want to call a grand Savagnin rather than a small jaune. This is a bargain for the quality it delivers.” – Luis Gutiérrez, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate