Dagueneau

As it happens with wine, there are winemakers, rockstars even, who captivate us grape juice nerds, and create followings. Such is most definitely the friggin' case with Monsieur Dagueneau, who, as rockstars will, passed before his time. Didier, was definitely a game-changer, and one who helped us otherwise occupied Americans, catch a glimpse of what the Loire Valley has to offer. I've found, and no, I won't divulge, a lovely resto in LA that is offering Dagueneau's '04 Silex, on the wine list for roughly $65. IMPOSSIBLE! You can't find it retail for under $120, and any resto that still had it should be charging $200 AT LEAST! But no, these guys have it, and yes, I've tried it there. The Wine Director, Frenchman of course, brought the bottle to the table, and checked in, to make sure we knew what we were getting, (Here's where I love the French) I can't help but think, that if we weren't familiar with Dagueneau, that he would have steered us towards a less expensive, and available, bottle. It was almost, as if, he needed to be sure, we were worthy of the cork pulling to take place. But, yes, I assured him, I was familiar with Dider, and I was most expectantly hoping, and drooling, for the opportunity. He seemed at peace, especially, when I offered him to join us in a taste of the nectar. And wow. WOW! Yeah, it's true, I get overtaken with labels sometimes, and yeah, maybe I wouldn't have jumped up and down if tasted blind, BUT, knowing what it was, asking to have it decanted, and checking out the floral nuances as it opened- EXCELLENCE! Find it if you can, But I'm going to drink the place dry before I let on!