Staying in the cabernet franc frame of mind with the current deep dive into the Loire Project. After a few heat waves of sipping rose and more daquiris it was time to sit by an afternoon firepit and taste through a small grouping of Bourgueil producers.
the Line Up
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie Cuvee Beauvais 2023
Y. Amirault Cote 50 2022
Domaine de la Cotelleraie Pigeur Fou 2020
My Thoughts & the Results...
Dom de la Cotelleraie Pigeur Fou 2020 (92pts)
Aromas of tomato leaf, blackberry, apple skins, crushed blueberries, plums and a herbaceous violet, lavender, floral nuance.
Palate is fruit forward on the front end with some glimpses of mineral rich composted earth, wild strawberry, raspberry, blueberry and violets all wrapped up in a bright quenching acidity that builds as the flavors evolve but keeps balanced by a fleshy apple backbone.
Great overall depth and movement. Comparable to that person you didn't quite think was your kind of person at first, but after a lil small talk and finding some common ground, they end up leaving you with an intimate connection that deepens your understanding of life and opens you to a unique perspective that you find yourself craving when you are apart.
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie Cuvee Beauvais 2023 (88pts)
Aromas kick off spicy like smoked paprika but alluring soft raspberry jam notes work its way from the crowd and exclaims this has much fruit to contend with along with nuances of rosemary, cedar, well composted earth, eucalyptus & green unroasted coffee beans.
On the palate this wine shows balance. Yes balance and harmony with blood orange acidity swirling through layers of strawberry compote, ripe brooding raspberry, as soft herbal earthiness emerges from the fruit with hints of poblano and lingering tarragon accents.
This wine shows clear intentions and creates a friendly inviting dialogue, it reveals itself as a great companion but never quite dives into deep conversation. That acquaintance that asks you how you're doing but kind of drifts off when you begin to answer.
Yannick Amirault Cote 50 2022 (87pts)
Aromas of cranberry sauce, woodchips, soft earthy dried peppers creating some underlying pyrazines, fleshy bing cherry, red jelly candy and raspberry jam.
The palate is soft and evolves starting with some silky red fruits, rolling into an herbal midpalate that balances out the flavors with primary notes of raspberry coulis and earthy cranberry, all rolling into a long fruity finish that honestly reminds me of black raspberry ice cream with sprinkles.
A soft and unassuming wine that is persistent but cordial. Waltzing through the palate like its danced this dance over and over, never missing a step but also failing to challenge the status quo.
A great line up, paired nicely with a day of burning some blow downs and tending to the garden while grilling some sausage and veggies, capping the evening off with some classic campfire s'mores.
Im finding lots of variation from producer to producer but not as much glaring differences from appellation to appellation, at least on the cabernet franc side of the project. I will start the conversation of observations by saying I have found Bourgueil to be a bit more extracted in fruit and density than the offerings from Chinon and Saumur. This may also be attributed to riper vintages, which is another factor that I have been trying to focus on and pay attention to, but also seems a bit inherent in all of the Bourgueil selections thus far.
With my cabernet franc bottles dwindling down in the cellar and a special cab franc blind tasting that I will be attending on the horizon, I would expect to see a few more cabernet franc posts coming soon as I try to gain as much insight and experience to bring to the tasting.
