Glorious. Completely harmonious and in a perfect spot. There probably isn't enough sweet fruit expression for a lot of people but I found the secondary characters in the perfect amount on the nose and palate. Just right. Acid and tannin working in perfect conjunction with the fruit. Terrific for food or contemplation.
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Solid, balanced, simple QPR for a quick weeknight meal. Green olives, herbs, and dark cherries on the nose, with a juicy, ripe red cherry palate, plenty more herbs and spices, and good tannins on the finish. Drink now-2015. As with all Chinon rouges, much better served cool and with food.
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A better experience than one year ago with this vintage. From a Zalto Burg at a cool temp initially. Fairly dark. Brings green and yellow plum, fresh herbs, pine needles and resin (and sometimes I think of this as plastic on this like others have noted), chalk dust, occasional violets (nose and palate). I had this with a Shepherd's Pie a Brit guest made, and it worked well together. Greenish tannins erupt sporadically on this, especially when continuing to drink after food. As it warms, more dark fruit and earth/creosote comes forward and melds nicely for a bit with a sweeter berry fruit expression. As (local buddy) Rezy alludes, it's literally temperamental. Play with it to tease a bit more to your liking from it. 87-89
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not an attractive nose, has a chemical characteristic to it; lots of red fruits and moderate acidity, only a hint of celery and bell pepper toward the finish - good, but have had much better and more characteristic Chinons
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The nose screams Loire - green pepper dominates so completely it's hard to sniff anything else. The palate is surprisingly soft, lacking the course tannins that I usually expect, but this wine is meant for younger drinking. Some dark fruit, a continued green streak, and moderate acidity. Good typicity, nice wine for the price.
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Medium purple ruby. Earth, violet, green pepper on the nose, joined by light tobacco on day two. Palate is red mineral with chalky cherry, red and green. Big grain tannin, seems stemmy. Good, but not speaking as much as I wish it would for this producer. Very slightly better day two. 87-88
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I don't have much experience with Loire cabernet franc, so bought this as a bit of an experiment, knowing the producer has a good reputation. To be honest, I find it a bit hard work. It's somehow both light and very tannic, which basically sums up my chinon experience thus far. Over time, it does soften and there's some nice fruit, but to my mind other regions in France make much better wine at this price point.
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Open about an hour. Slight herbal nose - rosemary. A bit flat in front, but the fruit will probably come out with more air. Classic Chinon mouth feel at the back with a chalky tartness. I really enjoyed it and will get more.
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Solid Chinon. Not real complex right now but showing classic characteristics of the region. Fruit is still fleshy and strong. Seems pretty open but no rush here.
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She took an hour to relax and open up. Then the wet soil, dank cellar, aromas lifted up and the dark purple juice mellowed. And a lovely dinner companion she was.
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Tuesday Night Double Blind <$30 (Bin 75): Youthful appearance of dull purple ruby to rim; fruity, youthful, sugary sweet with herbaceous note in the back; soft and pretty, Burgundian, gaining richness with air, nice red fruit, good acid but not sharp; food friendly.
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2nd bottle served slightly chilled; dark purple color, semi translucent; peppery, cooler nose, reductive plastic note; slightly more noticeable tannin made some people call Right Bank. Good both ways, but you may want to give a slight chill and enjoy the transformation as it warms up. Crazy to have 2 of these in the same double blind tasting.
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1st bottle served at room temp; dark purple with a reddish purple rim, semi translucent; nose of black pepper, stone, spicy, green pepper, and compost; tangy acidity that hits you in the jowls, rich yet soft in a seamless profile, lots of wild berry; very drinkable.
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For the price, this label continues to provide outstanding quality. I love Jouget's wines and always look forward to visiting relatives in the Oakland area so that I can stop by Kermit Lynch's store and pick up some great values. On day 1, this was expressing itself nicely, with brambles, earth, green pepper. There is also an herbal quality that one other taster identifies as bay leaf. Perhaps. I get a bit of sage and basil, too. There is also a metallic aftertaste that I often find in these upon opening. On day 2, that metallic note has gone completely. Now, the dark fruit, bright acidity, and herbal quality is joined by a nice restrained floral element. Wonderfully done. And, some might scoff at this, but some of these more refined or austere Loire cab francs are damn good with just a slight chill on them. Drink now or hold for 1-2 yr.
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Lots of wet potting soil notes on the nose, especially on the second day. The fruit is still fleshy and maybe a bit tight. Late acting tannin give the palate some flesh good acidity to keep things balanced. More classic than the 09 in that there is not the obvious broad fruit around. This was good from start to finish but the geek in me liked it better on the second night. Best in a few years. Still loving this producer.
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(Open in bottle for 24 hours) Dark ruby color with medium transparency. Pencil lead and dark fruits on the nose with bay leaf in the background. Black cherry, raspberry and blackberry fruits on the palate along with roasted eggplant. I love Chinon for the veggie component and substituting the usual green pepper for eggplant is a nice touch. Everything is lifted by a healthy dose of acidity which carries into the 15+ second finish. More structured than the Cuvee Terroir although the CT is easier to gulp down. Significantly better on day two; give this lots of air for best results. Doesn't match the complexity or elegance of the Dioterie or Chene Vert but an incredibly tasty wine that outperforms many Bordeaux petit-Chateau at this price point. Ready to drink.
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9/15/2015 - WetRock wrote:
Glorious. Completely harmonious and in a perfect spot. There probably isn't enough sweet fruit expression for a lot of people but I found the secondary characters in the perfect amount on the nose and palate. Just right. Acid and tannin working in perfect conjunction with the fruit. Terrific for food or contemplation.
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6/22/2015 - jlhkiss Likes this wine: 88 Points
Solid, balanced, simple QPR for a quick weeknight meal. Green olives, herbs, and dark cherries on the nose, with a juicy, ripe red cherry palate, plenty more herbs and spices, and good tannins on the finish. Drink now-2015. As with all Chinon rouges, much better served cool and with food.
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6/18/2015 - MindMuse wrote: 88 Points
A better experience than one year ago with this vintage. From a Zalto Burg at a cool temp initially. Fairly dark. Brings green and yellow plum, fresh herbs, pine needles and resin (and sometimes I think of this as plastic on this like others have noted), chalk dust, occasional violets (nose and palate). I had this with a Shepherd's Pie a Brit guest made, and it worked well together. Greenish tannins erupt sporadically on this, especially when continuing to drink after food. As it warms, more dark fruit and earth/creosote comes forward and melds nicely for a bit with a sweeter berry fruit expression. As (local buddy) Rezy alludes, it's literally temperamental. Play with it to tease a bit more to your liking from it.
87-89
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5/29/2015 - Louisiana George wrote: 87 Points
not an attractive nose, has a chemical characteristic to it; lots of red fruits and moderate acidity, only a hint of celery and bell pepper toward the finish - good, but have had much better and more characteristic Chinons
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11/8/2014 - Michael Davidson wrote:
The nose screams Loire - green pepper dominates so completely it's hard to sniff anything else. The palate is surprisingly soft, lacking the course tannins that I usually expect, but this wine is meant for younger drinking. Some dark fruit, a continued green streak, and moderate acidity. Good typicity, nice wine for the price.
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5/30/2014 - MindMuse wrote: 87 Points
Medium purple ruby. Earth, violet, green pepper on the nose, joined by light tobacco on day two. Palate is red mineral with chalky cherry, red and green. Big grain tannin, seems stemmy. Good, but not speaking as much as I wish it would for this producer. Very slightly better day two. 87-88
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5/10/2014 - henryd1 wrote: 86 Points
I don't have much experience with Loire cabernet franc, so bought this as a bit of an experiment, knowing the producer has a good reputation. To be honest, I find it a bit hard work. It's somehow both light and very tannic, which basically sums up my chinon experience thus far. Over time, it does soften and there's some nice fruit, but to my mind other regions in France make much better wine at this price point.
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4/22/2014 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Green and herbal and just showing signs of coming into maturity. Delicious as it were.
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11/6/2013 - Doblk Likes this wine: 89 Points
Open about an hour. Slight herbal nose - rosemary. A bit flat in front, but the fruit will probably come out with more air. Classic Chinon mouth feel at the back with a chalky tartness. I really enjoyed it and will get more.
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10/23/2013 - WetRock wrote:
Solid Chinon. Not real complex right now but showing classic characteristics of the region. Fruit is still fleshy and strong. Seems pretty open but no rush here.
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9/9/2013 - brubron Likes this wine:
She took an hour to relax and open up. Then the wet soil, dank cellar, aromas lifted up and the dark purple juice mellowed. And a lovely dinner companion she was.
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8/13/2013 - Rezy13 Likes this wine:
Tuesday Night Double Blind <$30 (Bin 75): Youthful appearance of dull purple ruby to rim; fruity, youthful, sugary sweet with herbaceous note in the back; soft and pretty, Burgundian, gaining richness with air, nice red fruit, good acid but not sharp; food friendly.
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4/2/2013 - Rezy13 wrote:
2nd bottle served slightly chilled; dark purple color, semi translucent; peppery, cooler nose, reductive plastic note; slightly more noticeable tannin made some people call Right Bank. Good both ways, but you may want to give a slight chill and enjoy the transformation as it warms up. Crazy to have 2 of these in the same double blind tasting.
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4/2/2013 - Rezy13 wrote:
1st bottle served at room temp; dark purple with a reddish purple rim, semi translucent; nose of black pepper, stone, spicy, green pepper, and compost; tangy acidity that hits you in the jowls, rich yet soft in a seamless profile, lots of wild berry; very drinkable.
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1/26/2013 - Haggis Likes this wine: 90 Points
For the price, this label continues to provide outstanding quality. I love Jouget's wines and always look forward to visiting relatives in the Oakland area so that I can stop by Kermit Lynch's store and pick up some great values. On day 1, this was expressing itself nicely, with brambles, earth, green pepper. There is also an herbal quality that one other taster identifies as bay leaf. Perhaps. I get a bit of sage and basil, too. There is also a metallic aftertaste that I often find in these upon opening. On day 2, that metallic note has gone completely. Now, the dark fruit, bright acidity, and herbal quality is joined by a nice restrained floral element. Wonderfully done. And, some might scoff at this, but some of these more refined or austere Loire cab francs are damn good with just a slight chill on them. Drink now or hold for 1-2 yr.
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1/2/2013 - WetRock wrote:
Lots of wet potting soil notes on the nose, especially on the second day. The fruit is still fleshy and maybe a bit tight. Late acting tannin give the palate some flesh good acidity to keep things balanced. More classic than the 09 in that there is not the obvious broad fruit around. This was good from start to finish but the geek in me liked it better on the second night. Best in a few years. Still loving this producer.
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9/24/2012 - d'Yquembe Mutombo wrote: 90 Points
(Open in bottle for 24 hours) Dark ruby color with medium transparency. Pencil lead and dark fruits on the nose with bay leaf in the background. Black cherry, raspberry and blackberry fruits on the palate along with roasted eggplant. I love Chinon for the veggie component and substituting the usual green pepper for eggplant is a nice touch. Everything is lifted by a healthy dose of acidity which carries into the 15+ second finish. More structured than the Cuvee Terroir although the CT is easier to gulp down. Significantly better on day two; give this lots of air for best results. Doesn't match the complexity or elegance of the Dioterie or Chene Vert but an incredibly tasty wine that outperforms many Bordeaux petit-Chateau at this price point. Ready to drink.
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