WTN: '07 Domaine de la Chanteleuserie, Bourgueil

2007 Domaine de la Chanteleuserie, Bourgueil, Vielles Vignes ($16.99 Whole Foods). Alcohol level: 13%. This is a lip smacking good wine of 100% Cabernet Franc. At different levels it offered everything from red raspberries to pencil shavings. We enjoyed one bottle yesterday with goose and trimmings, and another today with pork roast with goose gravy, and baby Yukon Golds roasted with it; and leftover braised red cabbage. Both holiday meals were wonderful.

"There are some great wines coming out of Bourgueil" is a constant statement from Jim Budd. Good for you choosing this one Carl.

http://jimsloire.blogspot.com/search?q=bourgueil

In the Loire, and among the reds, Bourgueil has pleased me more than the other appellations.

[Jenise]

Year in and year out, the Chanteleuserie is a great value bottle. You picked well!

In the Loire, and among the reds, Bourgueil has pleased me more than the other appellations.

Really? I was always under the impression that there were no significant terroir differences between Bourgueil and Chinon as such. Of course vineyards differ, but not systematically and in coherent ways across the two appellations. Plus of course the producer stamp being more important than Bourgueil vs. Chinon.

Other Loire red appellations are of course different.

In the Loire, and among the reds, Bourgueil has pleased me more than the other appellations.

Really? I was always under the impression that there were no significant terroir differences between Bourgueil and Chinon as such. Of course vineyards differ, but not systematically and in coherent ways across the two appellations. Plus of course the producer stamp being more important than Bourgueil vs. Chinon.

Other Loire red appellations are of course different.

Mind you, I did not say that Chinon dis-pleased me. Plus, I don’t like generalization, myself, but it is likely be due to my limited sampling, as they occurred mostly during a short week’s stay near Saumur back in August. Due to the proximity of the farmhouse that we rented, I was able to only to sample 5 Chinon and only 3 Bourgueil (all in or around Saint Nicholas). But because we were generally more pleased with the Bourgueil that we’ve been having, finding them to be more rustic with more complexity, that we bought more Bourgueil for our dinner or drinks to lounge around with, as well as ordering the same when confronted with local restaurants wine list whenever we needed a red. Back in the States, I continue to buy Loire reds that I can find and still continue to prefer the Bourgueil.

Just to qualify: my assertion is likely not due to the non-variances between Chinon and Bourgueil, but more likely as a result of the differences in vineyard site and/or winemaking style of the producers.

they occurred mostly during a short week’s stay near Saumur back in August..

Sounds like fun! I haven't been to the Loire in years. The simple vibrant Loire wines that are kind of 'boring' when looking for an evening's entertainment here in the States are so 'of-the-place' when actually in the region. Melds well with the cheese, air, and all that romance...

The simple vibrant Loire wines that are kind of 'boring' when looking for an evening's entertainment here in the States are so 'of-the-place' when actually in the region. Melds well with the cheese, air, and all that romance...

Not only that ... but even during the latter part of our stay and our palates were kind-of Loired-out with the local wines, there were zero to very limited non-Loire wines offered in the small-town places that we went to (supermarkets and local restaurants) that are of decent quality and price. We did enjoy the whole experience, though.

Ramon-

Tell me who you've enjoyed from either Chinon or Bourgueil that I might not know. I'm always looking for good ones.

You might want to check out www.bestwinevalues.com. They have a couple lesser known (at least to me) producers at great prices, several nice bottles I've had are in the $11-14 range. They also have a few with some bottle age, a 1996 for under $25 and a 2000 for under $20. Exactly the kind of thing I like to have around the house for casual drinking.

Not only that ... but even during the latter part of our stay and our palates were kind-of Loired-out with the local wines, there were zero to very limited non-Loire wines offered in the small-town places that we went to (supermarkets and local restaurants) that are of decent quality and price. We did enjoy the whole experience, though.

Maybe you're not as big a fan of Loire wines as I am. I know it's often tough "in the provinces" to find good wine shops of any kind, even for the high quality local wines. But being so close to the producers there would not be enough time in years for me to drink all the wines I would love to drink.

Matt,

Thanks for the link. I’ll check it out.

I don’t have the particulars, as my notes are not in my usual iPhone notes but are written on paper and left at home, but I liked Bourgueil wines by Mabileau and Breton. I recently tasted a 1985 Breton “Les Perrieres” and this cabernet franc was fresh and well-made and quite unforgettable. I’ve also had a good one from Amirault - “Grand Clos” that I’m seeking out here.

As for Chinon, I’ve liked Baudry especially “La Croix Boisee” (Zachy’s has the 2007 at 27.99) and which iirc is cheaper than when I bought in a winebar/store in Chinon. I also liked some Couly Dutheil that I had then. I probably need to drink more Joguet as I just don’t quite get it yet.

I'll have to find and look up my notes at home for the rest of the stuff that I tasted in Loire and which I've been meaning to seek out locally.

Ramon

But being so close to the producers there would not be enough time in years for me to drink all the wines I would love to drink.

I could just imagine that given what I perceived as a ton of producers in the region, one-neighboring-the-next-one, that a lot of time is needed to sample and appreciate the products. Unfortunately, I think that only a very small number of the producers reaches our shore, as I tend to find out whenever I chance upon local store.

Unfortunately, I think that only a very small number of the producers reaches our shore, as I tend to find out whenever I chance upon local store.

True. But if you want to explore more about the Loire, Chambers St Wine may be one of the best stores anywhere to do that.

We recently enjoyed the '07 Domaine Guion Bourgueil Cuvee Prestige. Great QPR too, organic and less than $15 at CSW. They also have the '09 regular bottling for a few dollars less. Has anyone tried that one?