22 March, 2022
At the end of our working day Thomas, Clement and me decide to pay the local wine shop in Amboise, the cave Amicalement vin, a visit. One of the owners, the caviste Jérôme Billaud, is happy to see us. It’s my first time there so I go straight to the Loire section at the back of the shop and start browsing the shelves. Jérôme, in the meantime, opens the »Romorantique« (2018) by Philippe Tessier, a sensational Romorantin maceration. It is followed by the mind-blowing, 25€ costing »Jeunes Vignes« (2020) from Cyril Fhal’s Domaine Clos Du Rouge Gorge which is situated in Latour-de-France in the appellation Côtes catalanes. This Grenache is delicate beyond words, tender, deep. This might easily be one of the most delicious red wines I’ve ever had in my life. Jérôme talks about Fhal at length, from time to time Thomas gives me a quick summary in English. I buy quite a few bottles from various producers which we will taste during the remaining three evenings of my stay.