This wine is an extremely expressive and lively nose of flowers, slate and minerals is followed by a deep, intense, medium-to-full-bodied personality. It's powerful and mouth-coating liquid mineral flavors are followed by notes of almonds, camomile and lemon zests in its exceptionally long finish. My experience with Savennieres suggests that it will be at its best for about three years (2000) and then shut down for 6 or more years and reveal all its splendor between 2006 and 2014.The Chateau d'Epire filters all of its wines except those sold to Kermit Lynch. Why? Sadly, the majority of European consumers and sommeliers are willing to forsake body and taste for perfect stability and sediment-free wines. The estate produces three cuvees each year, Lynch's, a Cuvee Speciale, and the regular cuvee. Based on my tastings of each over three different vintages, there is a two-point difference between the normal cuvees and the Cuvee Speciale and another two-point difference between it and Lynch's unfiltered cuvee.Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel: (510) 524-1524. (Reviewed by P. A. Rovani)

Revealing a pale, almost clear color and minerally, floral aromatics intertwined with notes of almonds and hazelnuts, this wine (Lynch Bottling) is a medium-to-full-bodied, rich and silky-textured wine with intense flavors of minerals, stones and touches of anise. Beautifully balanced and long in the finish, this is a super Savennieres. Anticipated maturity: Now-2010+. The Chateau d'Epire filters all of its wines except those sold to Kermit Lynch. Why? Sadly, the majority of European consumers and sommeliers are willing to forsake body and taste for perfect stability and sediment-free wines. The estate produces three cuvees each year, Lynch's, a Cuvee Speciale, and the regular cuvee. Based on my tastings of each over three different vintages, there is a two-point difference between the normal cuvees and the Cuvee Speciale and another two-point difference between it and Lynch's unfiltered cuvee.Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel: (510) 524-1524. (Reviewed by P. A. Rovani)