St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil Cuvée Carine 2006 Tasting Notes

St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil Cuvée Carine 2004

This year’s wine is from the 2004 vintage, which was warm and largely dry, but without the searing heat of 2003. The more normal climatic conditions have produced more balanced wines. The emphasis this year is on elegance and finesse, rather than power, and the resulting wine is of medium depth, ruby in colour, with a bouquet of violets and strawberries.  On the palate it is well-balanced with juicy red fruit matched with ripe, smooth tannins.  It will keep and improve for several more years, if carefully cellared.  

One of the joys of Loire reds is that they work equally well with or without food, and this is no exception.  This versatile wine works wonderfully with winter roasts, but is equally good with fish such as salmon; in the warmer months it is delicious served just below room temperature, or even slightly chilled, when it is the perfect partner to cold meats and summer salads.  Try it with a hot goat’s cheese salad - another excellent combination of flavours.  It can even work with soft fruits, such as strawberries or raspberries.