WTN: A Slick Bourgueil from Amirault

Yannick Amirault Bourgueil La Coudraye 2009 - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Bourgueil
13% abv. Dark fruit, very ripe but gladly not too ripe, some nice tobacco and earth aromas. Dry and refreshingly tannic, has enough fruit to be drinkable now, but ideally should see a bit more age for the tannins to become less drying; moderate acidity; rich and full bodied for a "basic" cuvée. Very nice and wonderfully perfumed even though I usually prefer a less slick and less ripe style of Cab Franc.

[David M. Bueker]

Interesting note. It doesn't read "slick" to me at all though!

very ripe but gladly not too ripe, some nice tobacco and earth aromas. Dry and refreshingly tannic, has enough fruit to be drinkable now, but ideally should see a bit more age for the tannins to become less drying; moderate acidity; rich and full bodied for a "basic" cuvée. Very nice and wonderfully perfumed even though I usually prefer a less slick and less ripe style of Cab Franc.

Love that wine. Interesting that you feel it's too smooth and ripe. I haven't tried the 2009 yet (not sure if it's available here yet - hopefully it will be some day) but presumably the heat of the vintage meant it was a riper and smoother style than usual? If you can mention any producers of Bourgueil who made much less ripe style of wine in 2009, it' be great to hear who.

I haven't had this vintage, but in general I love this wine. As with Mr. Bueker, I wouldn't read this a slick. Indeed I find this wine wild and woolly. Now the St. Nicolas de Bourgueil from Amirault are more, not slick, but certainly refined.