Le Grand Bouqueteau, Reserve Chinon 2012, Loire, France

Tasting Note: This Chinon is like a vintage red velvet glove – it’s seductive.

Medium tending toward deep intensity ruby in color this wine has an aromatic nose of red currant, black plum, crushed dried rose petal and wet leaves laced with cedar.

On the palate the dry, medium-plus bodied Chinon shows red fruit flavors suggested on the nose in a slightly riper style than is usual for the region.

The wine is supported by velvety, medium-plus acidity and tannin.

This cabernet franc plays on your midpalate and completes with a somewhat chalk-infused finish that leaves you wanting to take another sip.

Absent in this Chinon are the vegetal notes some find off-putting, but which I delight in.

This would be an ideal bottle to try next to a hot-climate, New World cabernet franc and compare the expression of the grape at two extremes because there are notes that echo back to the New World.

Bottle Note: 100% Cabernet Franc.