Three more from Bourgueil, and these wines just sang to me on a rare rainy overcast day in late July as the garden soaked up every drop that fell from the sky, I too, accompanied by my wife, enjoyed each drop of these Loire nectars.
the Line Up
Domaine de la Chevalerie Breteche 2015
Domaine de la Cotelleraie Les Mauguerets 2020
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie Alouettes 2023
As always poured single blind, knowing what the wines are but not which is in which glass.
Smell, taste, reflect... take notes, draw a conclusion and revisit to confirm. Many times I will repeat this with each flight on the next day to see if anything changes.
My Thoughts & the Results...
Domaine de la Chevalerie Bretéche 2015 (92pts)
Aromas of deep plum, dark sweet cherry flesh, boozy red fruits, graphite, rosemary, twizzler candy and accents of warm clove spice and woodsy cedar shavings.
Palate is harmonious, great balance of earth and fruit with some playful punchy youthfulness wrapped in a silky rich composted earth blanket of finesse and complementary tannin. Rolling blood orange bitterness waltzes w/ quenching acidity and brightness as the classic cranberry, raspberry, dark cocoa nibs and tar flavors hold the tempo and let the forest mystery permeate through the complete atmosphere of this wine. Exquisite bottle of cabernet franc and seems to be maturing but not wrinkling, I predict this wine will surely go another 5 perhaps 10 years
Domaine de la Cotelleraie Les Mauguerets 2020 (90pts)
Aromas of wet composted woodchips, a touch of sulphur, gunpowder, slatwater taffy, violets, cherry pits, blueberry pie, eucalyptus and candied strawberry.
Palate is velvet in mouthfeel with layered red fruits and a predominate strawberry jam, cherry cola, fruity pebbles man this taste like being a kid again but has some mature herbal and mineral notes of anise, thyme, lavender, flint and crushed gravel too. Overall some great depth of flavor with nice interplay of tannin and acidity to amp up the edges from being too silky and laid back.
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie Alouettes 2023 (84pts)
Aromas of tart cranberry sauce, blueberries, brambles, unripe cherries, youthful start but opens up slightly with nuances of earthy spice of tarragon, black pepper and sage.
Palate is more earthy than the nose lead me to expect and layers of composted leaves, tobacco, wood ash mingle with a bitter grip that tightens around the fruit and handcuffs it with tannin and earthy composted flavors that never open for the faint hints of raspberry chambord fruity brightness to shine.
A fine line up of Bourgueil wines, worth experiencing each and every one, but if you had to pick just one. The Bretéche is special.
Expect a smattering of posts coming over the next few weeks as I recoup from a couple of long weeks of slinging organic produce and wine here in Vacationland, while also attending a mind blowing tasting in Massachusetts, organizing a few of my own here in Maine and taking a much deserved week off to enjoy the garden, cellar and my wonderful family!
Thanks as always for stopping by and keep foraging those shelves for dusty forgotten gems and fresh off the boat ferments!
