WTN: '06 Les Pensees de Pallus Chinon

This wine is made by Bertrand Sourdais, who made a name for himself in Spain but returned to his father's land in Chinon in 2003. He's reportedly into biodynamics, extreme extended maceration, and fairly long aging in second passage barrels from Haut Brion. Hadn't seen this wine before so I couldn't resist picking up a bottle. 13% alcohol, $25, imported by The Rare Wine Co.

Very dark purple color. Upfront cherry-raspberry nose with some interesting spice in it. When first opened, the wine came off almost a bit fat, particularly for a Chinon. It seemed a bit thick-textured but delicious. As it sat it firmed up, with the tannins becoming evident. There's good acidity, giving it a nice raspberry sorbet character (stole that from Schildknecht's note on an earlier vintage and it's perfect). It's a touch lacking in the mid-palate but finishes nicely with that raspberry character overlaying the drying tannins.

I'm no Chinon expert but this one came off as different from what I've had from the region so far. It's good stuff and fairly priced. Seems like it will improve at least over the near term.

I remember tasting the 2005 and finding it a nice easy-drinking wine but then being baffled by the fact that it was the old-vines upper end cuvee. Especially because it sounds like this producer is shooting for a big rich Chinon style, and that is usually not my favorite. Then again I didn't drink it in the most critical of settings.

Regardless, nice to hear about new energy in the region.

$35 up here. I have done some research but thought I would stick with my Baudry for ten dollars less!

Rahsaan - It was a little weird as it seemed to start out as an easy-drinking crowd pleaser but got more interesting as it sat open. The remnants of the bottle are in the fridge to see what happens to it overnight.

Bob - The same store also carries one of the Baudry wines. I almost bought it instead but wanted to see what the new kid on the block was up to. Would be interesting to try them side-by-side.

it seemed to start out as an easy-drinking crowd pleaser but got more interesting as it sat open..

Not bad.

We had this in the 2005 vintage during a tasting party on Friday and, having become a bit of a Loire-head (see my enthusing about producers like Breton (who remains my favorite, along with Bobinet when you get a good bottle)) I have to confess to a bit of disappointment. Nothing wrong or bad with the wine, just not very distinctive-or all that interesting. I preferred a couple of California Cab Franc and blend bottlings (William Harrison and Random Ridge Cabernets), despite the alcohol.

It may have have been the context and the inability to focus on the wine. Given your notes, I will try another bottle.

I tried the 05 and thought enough of it to buy a case. Well balanced tastes better now then when it was released.. Not a wine to get excited about, just one to enjoy.

Going back to this one after it sat in the fridge overnight, it's pretty much just as I left it. Nice, full raspberry fruit over a layer of drying tannins. There's a little cab franc-y herbaceousness starting to get into the mix, but that's in the background.

I'm on the fence with this one. It's good stuff and very enjoyable, should work well with food. If you're looking for something that shouts, "Chinon", I don't think this is it, at least right now. It does seem that it will last a while, so perhaps it will taste more like its origins later in life. At $24, though, I'm not sure I'll buy more.

Going back to this one after it sat in the fridge overnight, it's pretty much just as I left it. Nice, full raspberry fruit over a layer of drying tannins. There's a little cab franc-y herbaceousness starting to get into the mix, but that's in the background.

I'm on the fence with this one. It's good stuff and very enjoyable, should work well with food. If you're looking for something that shouts, "Chinon", I don't think this is it, at least right now. It does seem that it will last a while, so perhaps it will taste more like its origins later in life. At $24, though, I'm not sure I'll buy more.

You know...I think your comments nail it here. Am I becoming such a wine geek that I am beginning to look for wines that shout their origins?

Check out my comments on Vaugaudry below. More "typicite" with this producer-and you can pick it up at 58 degrees in Midtown for less money than the Pallas. The Pallas has a prettier label, though