Kieran Roberts

9.0

Still had so much fruit, needed 3-5 more years! — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The 14 Chablis are really good. This Louis Michel is no different. An excellent example of little intervention of good fruit. This producer uses no oak; which I really appreciate. After you start to appreciate good Burgundy, CA Chardonnays aren't that interesting. Not that I don't ever drink or enjoy some CA Chardonnay producers, I just prefer the cooler climate Chardonnays that don't use new oak. This 14 was clean through and through. Bright citrus, peach, touch of green apple, soft minerality, touch of saline, creamy texture and beautiful round acidity and ripe, elegant finish. Photos of, Louis Michel vineyard, vineyard heat sources to protect the vine buds during their sometimes difficult Spring weather/frosts, Guillaume Michel (Owner/Winemaker) and their Domaine. Producer notes and history...It was largely believed that Michel family had only been cultivating Chablis since 1850. More on that in a bit. The winery is situated right in the heart of the village with 25 hectares spread over the very first slopes that were discovered by Cistercian monks in the 11th century. 40 years ago, the family decided to stop making the wine in wooden barrels, preferring to create clean, pure and precise Chablis without adding artificial woody tastes. I've said it more than once and I'll say it again, if you have good white grapes, strong wood use only covers up good fruit flavor or hides mistakes either in the vineyard or cellar, baring a stylistic choice. Through this philosophy, combined with the limited yields inspired by organic wine-growing techniques, the Domaine has developed a worldwide reputation for fine wine-making in stainless steel tanks. Today, the Domaine is managed by Jean-Loup Michel and his nephew, Guillaume Michel, who is continuing the family tradition. The importance of their work in the vineyards cannot be overstated. Guillaume Michel is a firm believer in the philosophy that if you do a good job in the vineyard, 90 per cent of the work is done when the grapes arrive at the winery. This statement could not be more true in my opinion. It his grandfather who started the philosophy, Guillaume has only continued it and evolved it with modern changes equipment etc.. It’s a matter of preserving the authenticity of each terroir...working with very pure and clean wines. They understand and like to work differences in terroir. Making it very important to have the same vinification for all the different terroirs. It is important to have an aromatically neutral vinification. Up until recently it was believed that the winemaking history of the family began in 1850, but thanks to Guillaume’s mother and her genealogical pursuits the date has been moved back to at least 1640. Around that time a winemaker from nearby Tonnerre settled in Chablis, marking the beginning of the families venture in Chablis. Domaine Louis Michel covers a total of 25 hectares. A very large part (15 hectares) is the domaine’s premier crus. In addition to that there is two hectares of Petit Chablis vines, six hectares of village Chablis and two hectares of grand crus. Vaudesír is the families biggest grand crus. Vaudesír is interesting because it is actually a valley. One side facing south, very hot, producing concentrated and powerful wines. In Grenouilles, Domaine Louis Michel has half a hectare at the top of the slope. This nine hectare grand cru is just over 7 hectares and is owned by the cooperative La Chablisienne. Vaudesír and Grenouilles are quite similar in terms of soil. Vaudesír has a bit more of clay. Les Clos, their third grand cru, is very rocky. Les Clos is the typical Kimmeridgian soil of Chablis. If you're like me and enjoy your white wine with good clean fruit rather than with oak or too much oak but haven't tried Louis Michel wines, pick up a bottle. I think you'll fall in love with the style and the value as many are under $30.
— 8 years ago

Andrés Solís Lira

9.0

Exuberant and full bodied blend of local Gros Manseng and other indigenous varieties from the much lesser-known South West of France. Forget all those CH's and SB's and submerge into the unknown! Dense-rich-textural, fresh, complex and aromatic.
It has what is probably the most engaging and surprising wine label I have come across.
A part of the exciting portfolio of Producteurs Plaimont, the biggest and most successful cooperative of the area.
#stmont #saintmont #grosmanseng #petitmanseng #petitcourbu #southwest #gascogne #gauls #dancingaboutwine — 9 years ago

Steve R

9.3

Light and balanced but still lively for $11. Really into this one — 10 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

8.9

Perfumed red flowers on the nose. Black cherries, stewed strawberry & rhubarb, sweet black licorice. Good value wine from a very good cooperative. Drink in three to eight years. — 10 years ago

Olivier Thoraval

9.5

Excellent fine and flavory just the perfect age to be drunk — 10 years ago

Giampiero Nadali

Wine Blogger Aristide

9.1

Garnacha y Carignan. It's made by a cooperative of local producers, and the price is very interesting: €8,50 at the wine shop. Very good. #DWCC — 12 years ago

David Kuchar

9.0

#beer. lots of points for the name — 12 years ago

Andrew Dineley

9.6

One of my favourites from The Cooperative. £6.99 reduced from £8.49 for a limited period. Highly quaffable! — 12 years ago

Rhonely Boy

9.1

60% Grenache 40% Carignan, red cherry & red raspberry which transitions to black cherry & black currant, 14.5% abv. Fruity and bouncy. Very happy with my under $10 Vin de France selection. — 8 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

8.9

Vintage 2015 - I love this cooperative wine, it's fruityness and impeccable p/q — 8 years ago

Anthony De Blasi

9.0

Wow,confirming the strenght of the cooperative. Still have the Rabaja in the cellar, but the Pora already meets the expectations! — 8 years ago

Mark Lindzy

9.0

A solid go-to for rosé champagne. Cooperative made, tart cherry and a hint of toast. — 8 years ago

Mykola Yehorov

9.0

Good wine at that price category. — 9 years ago

Joan Alberni

9.0

Vermell morat i dens , aromes i gust de fruits vermells madurs, glicèric i final llarg especiat i rodó. Molt bó. Espolla. Magnum 2013. Marc Fourquet. — 9 years ago

Joan Alberni

9.5

Vermell picota . Aromes balsàmics i sabor de fruita vermella madura compotada. Rodó i vellutat amb final persistent de torrats i xacolata. Molt bó. Cabernet sauvignon, merlot i garnatxa negra. — 10 years ago

Matt Royce

9.2

Squatters best beer hands down. Good strong, hoppy, bitter IPA. — 10 years ago

with Anthony

Francis Huicq

9.3

A solid and deep Corbieres from the small and unique cooperative of Castelmaure. Earthy, herby with scents of warm bush, thyme and dry leaves. Dried figs and spices complete the picture and add character. Full-bodied, rich and deep on the palate with fine and ripe tannins. medium acidity. A wine for food. — 10 years ago

Peter Vetsch

9.3

We'll see if Delectable can figure out the name of this wine - I had to create it on CellarTracker. Made by a social interest cooperative in Costers del Segre, just west of Barcelona, this blend of Cava grapes (Chardonnay + Macabeo) is focused and beautiful. A swirling array of flavours, largely not fruit-based -- talcum, buttered popcorn, rubber, varnish, baked pear, cinnamon, mineral, celery -- yes, I swear, all in the same wine -- then scorching straight-line acidity on the back end of the palate that carries the wine through into a long, herbal-tinged finish. Somehow takes an intense approach to a fairly neutral set of flavours. Stunning. — 12 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Following World War II, Alfredo Prunotto and his wife took over and restored an old cooperative winery called "Vini delle Langhe", a new era under the Prunotto name. Rusty red with aromas of dark berry fruit and earthy spices. 100% Nebbiolo of course, flavors of cherry and raspberry emerge, smooth, with subtle spice on well made structure. Fine tannins, balanced acidity on lingering finish ending with earthy mineral notes. I opened the bottle 2 hours before drinking, made a difference, needs more cellaring. — 8 years ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.0

2011 vintage in les grenouilles. Great effort for a cooperative but nowhere near what a ravenneau, dauvissat, Louis Michel or even a Lefevre could do with this vinyard and this vintage. — 8 years ago

Kevin Bohlin

8.9

All you expect from Nebbiolo and a stellar cooperative at an early drinking approachable profile. The 2012 Barbaresco by contrast is lock down tannins! — 8 years ago

Eric Egan

9.4

A lovely hand blown pre-coop bottle. A seriously dense wine! Nose is a little closed but opens up in the glass to reveal apricots, honey, marmalade, soaked sultanas, christmas pudding, and layers of complex floral notes. There is some acidity at the back but it's the sweetness that kicks you in the mouth; a dense, viscous, almost creamy sweetness that just hoes on and on. Perhaps that's my only criticism; that the sugar is a bit overpowering. There's great depth though, and it easily carried the alcohol, despite achieving what's likely to be 18-19% (not stated in the label, which simply reads "SAMOS"!). A phenomenal surprise and one of the best fortified wines of my life! — 8 years ago

Gail Mehlan

9.1

Had at hotel in Castelo Branco! Good! — 9 years ago

Mike Blom

9.2

Wonderful pear, honey and apple blossom notes. Initial sweet fruit approach with a cooperative acidity that glides the flavors across your palette.
Bright green apple intertwines easily with hits of orange/lime zest and candied melon.
Really fun wine! — 9 years ago

Erik Longabardi

9.0

A Rose to imbibe with the in laws! We had a good conversation over this Rose that was made from this organic cooperative. Beautiful and bright; this 3 liter box under $30 was perfect! — 10 years ago

Lukas Vögele

9.3

It's a cooperative but fucking good stuff! Great lemberger with a great value! — 10 years ago

Giampiero Nadali

Wine Blogger Aristide

9.5

A perfect sample of a Alto Adige Sauvignon, made by a cooperative winery. Long, tasty, salty, fresh, elegant. Chapeau! #sudtirol — 10 years ago

Chris Baggetta

Sommelier/Wine Director Quince Restaurant

9.5

Who knew cooperative wine could be THIS good?! — 12 years ago

Bethany Benson

9.4

Greek wine and white!!! ) — 13 years ago