If I'm looking for a glass of red wine on a weeknight with a casual meal, I will often reach for a Loire. Sometimes there's a surprise, like this bottle, that for some reason was purchased over four years ago and just hung out, not intentionally looking for age, but handling it very well. Still showing a solid fruit core with touches of aged character. Another example of how traditional Loire reds can age so well even in the sub-$20 range. Such a likable, food-friendly wine. Held up well over a couple of nights.
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Nice easy Chinon. Vanilla nose. Simple soft Cab Franc palate. Not amazing but I would happily drink as an everyday or restaurant wine that won't break the bank.
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Honest and simple table wine, fairly juicy and ripe, but clearly has that old world Cab Franc character. Lacks depth through the mid-palate, so it comes across as quite light. I think it could have used a touch more acidity as well, but I still found it quite enjoyable.
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Aromatic, spicy, a little green with herbal, some integrated vegetal; med body, structured but approachable, juicy black fruit, short finish. This is excellent value and a cab franc that showed old world character. I would buy at $15. 89
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What a delightful treat this value of a Chinon is! I struggle with most inexpensive Loire Cab Franc because I seem to be fairly sensitive to the green (pyrazine) notes that are commonly very strong. There is a little bit of green pepper here, but the greenness comes across as more herbal than anything, kind of like mint and tarragon. Along with the herbal notes there is some tobacco leaf, plenty of bright, crunchy red fruit, pencil shaving, and subtle black pepper. The palate has refreshing acidity (med+/high) and a little bit of silky tannin holding everything together. There could be a touch more concentration and length, but for the price I really cannot complain.
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Drank with mooseburger. Nice wine, a bit tannic at first but quite soon very drinkable in a somewhat weak but balanced style. Charming and clunkable. Very good for the price!
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Pure and attractive red-fruity cabby currant nose without any commercial yeast aromas, but some nice liquorice, spice, pepper and minerality. Fresh light bodied taste, very well balanced and harmonious. Ready to go now with sausages or on its own as a refreshment - it drinks like a charm! Organic viticulture, concrete tanks, 11,5% alcohol and low so2. A super job at basic "vin de soif" level. Kudos to the producer! Cab franc renaissance!!
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2/5/2019 - tward Likes this wine:
If I'm looking for a glass of red wine on a weeknight with a casual meal, I will often reach for a Loire. Sometimes there's a surprise, like this bottle, that for some reason was purchased over four years ago and just hung out, not intentionally looking for age, but handling it very well. Still showing a solid fruit core with touches of aged character. Another example of how traditional Loire reds can age so well even in the sub-$20 range. Such a likable, food-friendly wine. Held up well over a couple of nights.
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10/26/2014 - Doblk wrote: 88 Points
Nice easy Chinon. Vanilla nose. Simple soft Cab Franc palate. Not amazing but I would happily drink as an everyday or restaurant wine that won't break the bank.
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1/26/2014 - PIntag wrote: 87 Points
Honest and simple table wine, fairly juicy and ripe, but clearly has that old world Cab Franc character. Lacks depth through the mid-palate, so it comes across as quite light. I think it could have used a touch more acidity as well, but I still found it quite enjoyable.
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8/4/2013 - aagrawal wrote: 89 Points
Aromatic, spicy, a little green with herbal, some integrated vegetal; med body, structured but approachable, juicy black fruit, short finish. This is excellent value and a cab franc that showed old world character. I would buy at $15. 89
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2/14/2013 - missatiejacket Likes this wine:
What a delightful treat this value of a Chinon is! I struggle with most inexpensive Loire Cab Franc because I seem to be fairly sensitive to the green (pyrazine) notes that are commonly very strong. There is a little bit of green pepper here, but the greenness comes across as more herbal than anything, kind of like mint and tarragon. Along with the herbal notes there is some tobacco leaf, plenty of bright, crunchy red fruit, pencil shaving, and subtle black pepper. The palate has refreshing acidity (med+/high) and a little bit of silky tannin holding everything together. There could be a touch more concentration and length, but for the price I really cannot complain.
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11/2/2012 - Manolika wrote: 86 Points
Drank with mooseburger. Nice wine, a bit tannic at first but quite soon very drinkable in a somewhat weak but balanced style. Charming and clunkable. Very good for the price!
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10/23/2012 - Finare Vinare wrote: 87 Points
Pure and attractive red-fruity cabby currant nose without any commercial yeast aromas, but some nice liquorice, spice, pepper and minerality. Fresh light bodied taste, very well balanced and harmonious. Ready to go now with sausages or on its own as a refreshment - it drinks like a charm! Organic viticulture, concrete tanks, 11,5% alcohol and low so2. A super job at basic "vin de soif" level. Kudos to the producer! Cab franc renaissance!!
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