Chinon

Ruby in color, purple swirls, mostly clear and bright.  The nose brings the barnyard funk but also some black cherries and a bit of cigar box.  Medium bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this has depth and complexity.  Much cleaner on the palate, but still some Brettanomyces.  Black cherries with some leathery notes.  Menthol on the finish.  This is very nice on its own but probably a bit better with food.  It would work well with Lamb Stew but also Roasted Vegetables.  At or past peak, this should be consumed over the next five years or so.  

Purple/ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries with a slight cough syrup notes.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, black cherries with slight underlying chalk and a hint of cigar tobacco.  Great texture.  This has a nice complexity that unwinds in the glass.  Drinking well on its own, this would be better with food.  It could probably stand up to a bit of spice such as tacos or even curry.  Drink over the next eve to ten years.  

This is 100% Cabernet Franc.  Purple/ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has some Brettanomyces coming off as slight barnyard.  It has an "old school" Chinon quality to it.  Also some black cherries.  On the palate, the black cherries come thru (not the barnyard).  It does taste mature despite being relatively young.  Most likely that is the Brett. This will work better with food such as stew or chili.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.

Beautiful showing for this wine.  It sees a year in large used oak and chestnut barrels and then another year in stainless before release.  Ruby  in color with a light purple core, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, with cigar tobacco.  Medium bodied.  Very smooth texture.  Light tannins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit with some tobacco.  Nice depth and complexity as it unwinds in the glass.  Long finish.  This will be better with hearty foods such as Lamb Stew.  Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  

This is the top of the line from this top producer of Loire Cab Francs. The vineyard dates back to the 1930's. It showed well, but not as special as one might hope. Does it need more time? Who knows. Is it in a dumb phase? Possibly, but that seems unlikely. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black cherry fruit, a cola note and slight chalk. Medium bodied. Light tannins. On the palate, black cherry fruit with slight tobacco note and slighter sorrel. Nice finish. Seems to be drinking well now and should continue for another eight to twelve years.

Ruby/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, slight black pepper, slight chalk and a hint of cigar tobacco.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, layers of black cherry fruit with some chalkiness.  Silky texture.  Nice finish.  Tasty.  Drinking well on its own, it will work better with food.  Drink over the next ten years.  

This is 100% old school Cabernet Franc from the Loire valley in France.  Coming in at 12.5% ABV, this is a classic Loire Red wine.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and mostly bright.  The nose has black cherries, tobacco, some bell pepper, slight "twigs and sticks".  Medium bodied.  Nice acidity.  On the palate, this drinks easy but needs some food.  Some black cherry fruit with plenty of forest floor and tobacco.  A bit of green bell pepper.  Moderate finish.  This would work well with lamb stew.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

From one of the top red producers in the Loire Valley.  2005 was a strong vintage and allowed the Cabernet Franc to get ripe.  This was a great showing for this wine.  It was identifiable as the Loire with everything good about it.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great.  Earthy, slight barnyard, cherries, slight black cherries and an interesting clove note.  With air, a fresh tobacco note comes out.  On the palate, this is soft.  A nicely layered and complex texture.  Layers of cherries, slight black cherries, fresh hay and slight earthiness.  There are still lig