Monday, August 15th, 2022
I know it's trite to say this is a "Champagne Rival" but let's look at the facts:

  • Jacky Blot = Under-the-Radar Cult Loire Legend
  • 60 to 80+ Year-Old Chenin Blanc Vines
  • Aged on the Lees for 24 Months
  • Certified Organic
  • 12.5% ABV
  • Only 2,500 Cases Made & 200 Imported
  • Ageable Another 7+ Years
  • Lowest price in NorCal
  • My new house bubbly

"I can't help thinking that Jancis may have under-scored this wine when she tasted it in April this year, especially as the wine has proven to punch way above its price bracket and age incredibly well. Sea shells and honey on the nose and a super-fine unfurling of bubbles / Hints of honey and honeysuckle, quince and the soft spiciness of ripe pear / this is exceptionally gentle. Seems insanely underpriced."
17.5 / 20 - Jancis Robinson
Further reading:

Jacky Blot has been making his own wines only since 1989, and at age 70, as Vinous Media reviewer Joel Payne put it,

"He oozes a crazy energy in everything he does. Given their vibrancy, his wines must listen. In spite of his age, he is-with younger pioneers like Roman Guiberteau in Saumur and Eric Morgat in Savennières-the new face of chenin blanc.

With François Chidaine, Jacky Blot has been instrumental in taking Montlouis out of Vouvray's shadow and establishing for it a reputation of its own-and a better one at that. Much of what he has done appears old hat today, but it was revolutionary at the time: organic viticulture, hand harvests, wild yeasts, barrel fermentations and no malolactic conversions."

Blot is truly the pioneer who brought Montlouis, located across the river from Vouvray, to the public's attention - he has brought Chenin Blanc from this small region to unprecendented heights of quality. This wine comes from 100% Chenin Blanc, from 40-year-old organic vines, and is made in the methode traditionnelle (just like Champagne). However, in contrast to Champagne production, no sugar is added! In fact, the name comes from the three points in the process at which no sugar is added: zero capitalization, zero liqueur de tirage, and zero dosage. The grapes are harvested riper in order to counter all this dryness, producing a wine with incredible energy, varietal purity, and pleasure at an equally incredible low price.

Cheers,
—James Tran
Domaine la Taille aux Loups (Jacky Blot) "Triple Zero" Petillant Brut
Loire Valley, France

17.5 / 20 Points - Jancis Robinson:
"I can't help thinking that Jancis may have under-scored this wine when she tasted it in April this year, especially as the wine has proven to punch way above its price bracket and age incredibly well. Sea shells and honey on the nose and a super-fine unfurling of bubbles – reminds me of the foam lines left curving across the sand when the hiss of a lazy wave has retreated back down the beach. Hints of honey and honeysuckle, quince and the soft spiciness of ripe pear. I would expect a triple zero (dosage, chaptalisation, tirage) wine to be pretty austere and formidable – most are – but this is exceptionally gentle. The Vin Cognito crew say this will age. I have two more bottles, so watch this space… Seems insanely underpriced." VGV -TC (7/14/21)

94 Points - Vinous:
"A pétillant naturel from 40 to 80-year-old vines with zero capitalization, zero liqueur de tirage, and zero dosage. Aged 24 months on the lees. This is one of the better pet-nats I’ve tasted. Lemon and pineapple on the nose, with an underlying herbal character, and a long creamy finish." - Jason Wilson (Jul 2020)

93 Points - Decanter:
"This methode ancestral sparkling wine is sourced from old Chenin Blanc vines from Jacky Blot's Montlouis vineyards. The 'Triple Zero' title comes from the three points in the process at which no sugar is added (in contrast to Champagne production).The grapes are harvested riper than for the Brut Tradition to counter this, fermenting spontaneously in barriques before the wine is transferred to bottles while there's still some residual sugar remaining. Fermentation continues in bottle, causing the build up of carbon-dioxide which results in fine bubbles, and the wine is aged on its lees for 24 months before disgorgement. It has saline notes on the nose along with citrus scents. In the mouth it is steely and dry, with citrus and apple given dimension by the slightly spiky texture and with a long, clean and subtle finish with a lick of lime juice. Jean-Philippe recommends pairing this with oysters or sea urchin." (3/1/22)

92 Points - Wine & Spirits
92 Points - Wine Enthusiast

  • 100% Chenin Blanc
  • 60-80+ Year Old Vines
  • Aged on the Lees for 24 Months
  • Certified Organic
  • 12.5% ABV
  • Only 60 bottles available

Retail Price: $38.00 btl
Average Web: $34.00 btl
Lowest NorCal: $33.00 btl

Summer Sale:

$32.97 btl (1-5)
$31.97 btl (6-11)
$29.97 btl (12+)
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