Again quite classic. This leans into the pyrazines, funk and tannin more than some may like but fans of Loire Cab Franc will be happy. It is lacking the fruit depth for a next level wine. The silkiness of the palate and the acidity keep in compelling. Quite good over two nights. I imagine its going to be in this good spot for at least several years.
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In the six years since I last opened this wine, little change seems to have taken place. Still quite full and structured for Chinon with tangy berry fruit, pencil shavings, earthy minerals and wet leather with ripely enrobés tannins supporting the finish. Very good.
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Needs to breath a good hour in decanter to get rid of the funk. Fruit is not generous and tannons are green. Medium length and finish is somewhat bitter.
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Nicely balanced with secondary flavors and still velvety tannins for a few more years of aging. Focused flvors and medium to long length. A bit bitter finish, yet delicious.
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This really became delicious on the second night after being opened. Lot's of earthy funk initially. You could coax some classic Cab Franc expression out from underneath the funk. The structure is quite strong with ample acidity and still chewy tannin. The second night saw the funk move on and a bright, fresh Chinon emerge. This really displayed a great interplay of fruit, acidity and tannin. It got kind of hard to put down.
The fruit here does not seem like it has the density or concentration for extended aging. At least not in terms that the structure would support. I think this could be one where the structure is ahead of the fruit. This could certainly stand for some more cellar time. How long that is is a bit difficult to say. If drinking now, I recommend a vigorous decant.
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Slow ox for about an hour; This is a lovely example of Chinon, with an inviting nose of dark cherry, chalky minerals and a touch of dried herbs; The palate is concentrated yet elegant at the same time, and does not veer too far into the weedy/herbal side of Chinon (likely due to the warmer vintage); This should continue to evolve for years to come, but there's plenty of enjoyment in opening a bottle now
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Definitely improved over last bottle opened. Delightfully herbaceous and earthy without being underripe or overtly green. Tannins are nicely integrated, but non-trivial. Fruit is cherry and red currant in profile, and the interplay between fruit and the veggies is quite good now. Acidity is well-balanced, long finish mainly reprising the broccoli/pepper notes.
As before, I don't think this is ultra-concentrated and structural like the 2005, and there is risk the fruit will dry out in the not so distant future. I like this for the near term out to another ~5 years, I'd figure, though it is certainly not going to fall apart at the seams due to its balance and craftsmanship.
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Super chinon. Nose of bright crushed red fruit, maybe cranberries, with real depth and complexity in mouth and nose. Medium length. Good balance. Tannins are present but integrated. Dry but not noticeably acidic. Probably a 91-92 at first; lost some complexity and excitement after 30 minutes (but not tired). Has 5 years aching potential but excellent now.
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This is full bodied for a Chinon full of red fruit, clay, wet leather and an attractive underlying roundness backed up by lively acidity and firm tannic structure which supports the long finish. An excellent Chinon already fully open for business with potential for more graceful ageing. Very good.
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This wine took three days to become palatable. First day, I couldn't decide if it was corked or not, so I put it aside and opened another bottle. Second day, it was clearly not corked, just not drinkable- too astringent and very cab franc green. Third day, the wine is finally OK. The astringency has mellowed; some fruit has come out. I have no idea where this is going, but I guess I'll find out, because I won't touch my remaining bottles for a while
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Weekly tasting group #029; A fully blind test. (@ RvD): Blood red. Barnyard, cherries and raspberries in the bouquet. On the palate firm cherries and bitterness, red forest fruits and firm acidity, some sweetness and drying acidity. Just after opening a rustic and lean wine, but after a few hours of air it showed much better. Wait until 2016.
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Dark purple, bold spicy dark fruit minerality, definite food wine, got some pickled onion on opening but not the green vegital character I tend to look for from Cab Franc. Its bold and structured but for me still shows refinement. Enjoy the fact that so many people still dismiss these great wines and leave them for us! Trinch!
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Nose of violets, fertilizer, cherry, tilled earth and toast. Mid-weight, earthy cherry and Brussels sprout flavors, med+ acidity, firm tannin. A bit of oak. Doesn't have the concentration and minerality of the best Chinons, but very nice typicity and attractive rusticity to it. Good amount of material, and well above the grassy, tart entry level stuff.
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STG Loire (My house): nose: bretty, with some herbal/forest floor character rather than straight barnyard. I don't really enjoy the barnyard aromas, but lacking those, the nose on this was not bad palate: OK. Not life-changing, this had sour plum flavors but didn't give up a lot of complexity. ALl in all, I found it rather boring.
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I had great expectations with this wine especially, with the 2005 which was a good effort. This was a HUGE put down! The nose was extremely animal, branyard and manure, even after 4 hours it kept smelling like crap...BRETTS anyone!!! The palate was also quite disjointed and one dimensionnal for a wine this young, damp earth, old leather, green peppers and loads of poop with quite hi acidity. There is some black fruit behind all of this though and the tanins are quite grippy which might shoe some potential BUT presently this is Highway robbery for the price. Conclusion: All in all, a very unbalanced and rustic wine, quite unidimensional and darn close to be flawed with all that BRETT. Will try the other bottle I have in a few years and pray!!!
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Dark maroon. Vegetal nose with some dark red fruit. Rustic and medium bodied. Telltale tart cherry, but lots of green. Hard edges and tons of structure. The cherry flavors are brightened by the acidity, and stand in stark contrast with the massive tanninc grip. Medium length. Would be great with beef stew or braised short ribs.
Side note- tasted a 2001 side by side and it was so bretty that it was nearly undrinkable.
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The nose has a lingering earthy forest floor that is amazingly rich offset with some good vanilla notes. It is smooth and supple in the mouth with tastes of cherries. The finish continues with cherries and oak and adds a slight bit of anise. Very interesting and seems quite different than the typical Cabernet Francs that I have tasted. Still very tight, which may suppress any floral bouquet.
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Healthy medium ruby, faded edge. Cassis, graphite, and oregano aromas-no underripe greenness. Nice medium weight and concentration, moderate tannins and long finish. Short on acidity, though. Very good.
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Lighter color than the Varennes. Lean, green aromatics but also a hint of citrus. Not as accessible with high acid and grainy tannins. All in all, a puckery feel. I would not bet on the balance or the underlying fruit in this one. Pass.
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5/23/2023 - WetRock wrote:
Again quite classic. This leans into the pyrazines, funk and tannin more than some may like but fans of Loire Cab Franc will be happy. It is lacking the fruit depth for a next level wine. The silkiness of the palate and the acidity keep in compelling. Quite good over two nights. I imagine its going to be in this good spot for at least several years.
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7/2/2022 - eboracum Likes this wine: 92 Points
Perhaps even better than before with an added touch of graciousness and elegance. Alas, my last bottle. Very good.
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5/20/2020 - eboracum Likes this wine: 91 Points
In the six years since I last opened this wine, little change seems to have taken place. Still quite full and structured for Chinon with tangy berry fruit, pencil shavings, earthy minerals and wet leather with ripely enrobés tannins supporting the finish. Very good.
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4/10/2020 - Winiac wrote: 89 Points
Needs to breath a good hour in decanter to get rid of the funk. Fruit is not generous and tannons are green. Medium length and finish is somewhat bitter.
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1/13/2020 - Winiac wrote: 93 Points
Nicely balanced with secondary flavors and still velvety tannins for a few more years of aging. Focused flvors and medium to long length. A bit bitter finish, yet delicious.
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3/3/2018 - WetRock wrote:
This really became delicious on the second night after being opened. Lot's of earthy funk initially. You could coax some classic Cab Franc expression out from underneath the funk. The structure is quite strong with ample acidity and still chewy tannin. The second night saw the funk move on and a bright, fresh Chinon emerge. This really displayed a great interplay of fruit, acidity and tannin. It got kind of hard to put down.
The fruit here does not seem like it has the density or concentration for extended aging. At least not in terms that the structure would support. I think this could be one where the structure is ahead of the fruit. This could certainly stand for some more cellar time. How long that is is a bit difficult to say. If drinking now, I recommend a vigorous decant.
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6/28/2017 - eluebchow wrote: 92 Points
Slow ox for about an hour; This is a lovely example of Chinon, with an inviting nose of dark cherry, chalky minerals and a touch of dried herbs; The palate is concentrated yet elegant at the same time, and does not veer too far into the weedy/herbal side of Chinon (likely due to the warmer vintage); This should continue to evolve for years to come, but there's plenty of enjoyment in opening a bottle now
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5/23/2016 - Kriz wrote: 90 Points
10 years old and so alive! The scent of buganville and stable. Fruity and tannic but balanced palate. Very good value for money.
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10/2/2015 - Cabfrancophile Likes this wine: 89 Points
Definitely improved over last bottle opened. Delightfully herbaceous and earthy without being underripe or overtly green. Tannins are nicely integrated, but non-trivial. Fruit is cherry and red currant in profile, and the interplay between fruit and the veggies is quite good now. Acidity is well-balanced, long finish mainly reprising the broccoli/pepper notes.
As before, I don't think this is ultra-concentrated and structural like the 2005, and there is risk the fruit will dry out in the not so distant future. I like this for the near term out to another ~5 years, I'd figure, though it is certainly not going to fall apart at the seams due to its balance and craftsmanship.
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5/16/2015 - ccn Likes this wine: 90 Points
Super chinon. Nose of bright crushed red fruit, maybe cranberries, with real depth and complexity in mouth and nose. Medium length. Good balance. Tannins are present but integrated. Dry but not noticeably acidic. Probably a 91-92 at first; lost some complexity and excitement after 30 minutes (but not tired). Has 5 years aching potential but excellent now.
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6/26/2014 - eboracum Likes this wine: 91 Points
This is full bodied for a Chinon full of red fruit, clay, wet leather and an attractive underlying roundness backed up by lively acidity and firm tannic structure which supports the long finish. An excellent Chinon already fully open for business with potential for more graceful ageing. Very good.
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6/27/2013 - collin wrote:
This wine took three days to become palatable. First day, I couldn't decide if it was corked or not, so I put it aside and opened another bottle. Second day, it was clearly not corked, just not drinkable- too astringent and very cab franc green. Third day, the wine is finally OK. The astringency has mellowed; some fruit has come out. I have no idea where this is going, but I guess I'll find out, because I won't touch my remaining bottles for a while
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2/7/2013 - Kriz wrote: 89 Points
Tannic, rustic Chinon. Poo, fresh by it's good acidity. Will last. Very nice
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5/14/2012 - Zweder wrote: 87 Points
Weekly tasting group #029; A fully blind test. (@ RvD): Blood red. Barnyard, cherries and raspberries in the bouquet. On the palate firm cherries and bitterness, red forest fruits and firm acidity, some sweetness and drying acidity. Just after opening a rustic and lean wine, but after a few hours of air it showed much better. Wait until 2016.
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5/14/2012 - Al Brooks1830 wrote: 90 Points
Dark purple, bold spicy dark fruit minerality, definite food wine, got some pickled onion on opening but not the green vegital character I tend to look for from Cab Franc. Its bold and structured but for me still shows refinement. Enjoy the fact that so many people still dismiss these great wines and leave them for us! Trinch!
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4/20/2012 - Cabfrancophile wrote:
Nose of violets, fertilizer, cherry, tilled earth and toast. Mid-weight, earthy cherry and Brussels sprout flavors, med+ acidity, firm tannin. A bit of oak. Doesn't have the concentration and minerality of the best Chinons, but very nice typicity and attractive rusticity to it. Good amount of material, and well above the grassy, tart entry level stuff.
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11/4/2011 - ggb wrote: 89 Points
Beaucoup de structure, encore fermé. Un côté assez animal. Demande quelques années de cave.
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5/5/2011 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
More structure and weight than Petites Roches, more grip, more fruit impact.
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4/26/2011 - tarheel17 wrote: 86 Points
STG Loire (My house): nose: bretty, with some herbal/forest floor character rather than straight barnyard. I don't really enjoy the barnyard aromas, but lacking those, the nose on this was not bad
palate: OK. Not life-changing, this had sour plum flavors but didn't give up a lot of complexity. ALl in all, I found it rather boring.
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3/19/2011 - jcomm wrote: 85 Points
I had great expectations with this wine especially, with the 2005 which was a good effort. This was a HUGE put down!
The nose was extremely animal, branyard and manure, even after 4 hours it kept smelling like crap...BRETTS anyone!!!
The palate was also quite disjointed and one dimensionnal for a wine this young, damp earth, old leather, green peppers and loads of poop with quite hi acidity.
There is some black fruit behind all of this though and the tanins are quite grippy which might shoe some potential BUT presently this is Highway robbery for the price.
Conclusion:
All in all, a very unbalanced and rustic wine, quite unidimensional and darn close to be flawed with all that BRETT.
Will try the other bottle I have in a few years and pray!!!
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2/3/2011 - Anthony Lombardi wrote: 90 Points
Dark maroon. Vegetal nose with some dark red fruit. Rustic and medium bodied. Telltale tart cherry, but lots of green. Hard edges and tons of structure. The cherry flavors are brightened by the acidity, and stand in stark contrast with the massive tanninc grip. Medium length. Would be great with beef stew or braised short ribs.
Side note- tasted a 2001 side by side and it was so bretty that it was nearly undrinkable.
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1/11/2011 - RJ8CDI wrote: 89 Points
Good Chinon. Forest floor, pencil shavings and cherries on the nose. Acidity is little high for me. Drink now.
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11/27/2009 - The Kokopelli wrote: 89 Points
The nose has a lingering earthy forest floor that is amazingly rich offset with some good vanilla notes. It is smooth and supple in the mouth with tastes of cherries. The finish continues with cherries and oak and adds a slight bit of anise. Very interesting and seems quite different than the typical Cabernet Francs that I have tasted. Still very tight, which may suppress any floral bouquet.
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9/12/2009 - drwine2001 wrote:
Healthy medium ruby, faded edge. Cassis, graphite, and oregano aromas-no underripe greenness. Nice medium weight and concentration, moderate tannins and long finish. Short on acidity, though. Very good.
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3/28/2009 - drwine2001 wrote:
Lighter color than the Varennes. Lean, green aromatics but also a hint of citrus. Not as accessible with high acid and grainy tannins. All in all, a puckery feel. I would not bet on the balance or the underlying fruit in this one. Pass.
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