Domaine de la Chevalerie 2007 Tasting Notes

Bourgueil Vieilles Vignes 2003 & 2006

Our wines this year are the Vieilles Vignes 2003 and 2006 vintages, produced from some of Pierre Caslot’s oldest vines, which were planted over 75 years ago.

The weather in these two years was markedly different.  2003 was the year of the canicule or heatwave, when the record-breaking hot weather in France gave Pierre an almost perfect crop.  With its delightful flower-and-fruits bouquet and mouth-watering fruit on the palate, this wine is super to drink now, but it also has a rich, deep structure that will ensure excellent cellar potential for many years.   Pierre thinks every vintage he makes is the ‘best’, but even he thought that 2003 was the best since 1947!

The weather in 2006 was more ‘normal’, and the resulting wine is a classic Bourgueil, with a bouquet of green peppers and raspberries, leading to a lovely fruity and long-lasting taste.  Drink now, or keep carefully for five years or more.

One of the joys of Loire reds is that they work equally well with or without food, and these wines are no exception.  They go wonderfully with winter roasts, but are equally good with fish such as salmon.  In the warmer months they are delicious served just below room temperature, or even slightly chilled, when they are the perfect partner to cold meats and summer salads.