Domaine de la Chevalerie 2006 Tasting Notes

Bourgueil Vieilles Vignes 2002 & 2005

This year’s wines from Domaine de la Chevalerie are the Vieilles Vignes 2002 and 2005 vintages, produced from some of Pierre Caslot’s oldest vines which were planted over 75 years ago - and the same vines that created Pierre’s 2004 vintage which won a Bronze Medal at last year’s International Wine Challenge.  These are classic reds from the Cabernet Franc grape, and because this wine is as delicious in its youth as it is when it has a bit of bottle age, we always offer you two vintages to compare.

2005 has all the hallmarks of a classic Loire vintage, as the summer was hot and very dry, and the grapes benefited from light, refreshing rains a few weeks before harvest.  This is regarded as a ‘top vintage’, with delightful mouth-watering red-fruit character and a classic structure - which will continue improving over the next ten years.  It is a great accompaniment to poultry and game dishes - also try it lightly chilled as an apéritif.

2002 was a wonderfully elegant vintage, and now, with the benefit of three years’ bottle ageing, it is beginning to develop complex secondary aromas to accompany the usual red-fruit flavours.  Although fantastic now with poultry and pork dishes - or slightly chilled as an apéritif - it will also continue to develop further for at least another three to five years.