2019 Domaine du Bel Air (Pierre et Rodolphe Gauthier) Bourgueil Les Vingt Lieux Dits

Community Tasting Notes (2) Avg Score: 90.5 points

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  10/5/2022 - grafstrb wrote: 89 Points

  -- decanted approx. 20 min. before initial taste --
  -- tasted non-blind over 5 hrs. --
  
  NOSE: ripe, rich red fruits; clean; veers a bit earthy, like Baudry's Grezeaux does in their lineup; expressive -- doesn't seem to be holding back.
  
  BODY: magenta-garnet color of medium-deep depth; clear; medium to medium-full bodied.
  
  TASTE: red-fruited; quite ripe and a bit glossy; oak is a bit noticeable; little bit of scorched earth; not much pyrazine; ripe/flashy; labelled at 13%, but I'd guess closer to 14%; some pleasant savoriness at the 5 hrs mark.
  
  50, 5, 11, 16, 7 = 89

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  8/28/2022 - cct wrote: 92 Points

  Pop and poured, drunk over a three days.
  
  At first, cassis and plum, florals, and subtle leafiness on the nose. A bit brooding and interestingly a little darker fruited than the '18. Mid weighted on the palate, with excellent balancing acidity keeping it fresh. Beautiful unadorned fruit and soil on day one. Outstanding for sure, but more was to come...
  48 hours later after having been recorked and set in the cellar, this has blossomed. The fruit turning a little redder and fresher: cassis more than stone fruit, with more florals and leafiness. Really beautiful perfume. All this is carried in a frame of subtle power and poise. Harmonious with an impressive balance of its fruit, leafy, and soil driven notes. This is beautifully done, honest cabernet franc. Outstanding and a terrific value, but forget the screaming value, this is a wine that has the special quality of being simultaneously gulpable and contemplative. Count me impressed.

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