In September 2023, we dropped into Monterey, California for the Rennsport 7 Reunion, a kind of convention for Porsche enthusiasts.  On the last night, and to celebrate 20 years of being together, we dined at ‘Passionfish’.

We are no slouches when it comes to finding outstanding meals, but this one may have been the best overall one we have ever experienced.

It was due in no small part to the exquisite wine list which emphasized not only unusual varietals, and organic and biodynamic producers, but also placed importance upon making wine as accessible as possible to everyone by listing bottle prices close to retail.

This made me very, very happy.

This wine is produced in Saumur AOC (Loire Valley) by Arnaud Lambert and his father Yves who first converted their tuffeau soils to organic status, and just recently to biodynamic.  This region really does offer superior terroir – and the whites are often compared to those of Montrachet.

Our server Karle suggested this wine as her favourite, but it was no hard sell for me – Chenin is my preferred varietal.

Eyes – pale lemon
Nose – white peach, quince, Granny Smith apple, lemon zest, salt, minerality
Palate – quince, Meyer lemon zest, mandarin peel, more minerality, lanolin, and wet stones
Electric and bright with super acidity, beautiful and tight, tight, tight! Meant to drink young, this wine saw a little bit of time in oak during its ageing process and was stirred once while on the lees.

It complimented our scallop with crabcake, mussels, and shrimp with white beans.  A 5 puttonyo Tokaji was shockingly perfect with our chocolate sorbet.