Bourgueil Vieilles Vignes 2007
Bourgueil Vieilles Vignes 2010
Your wines this year come from the 2007 and 2010 vintages. In 2007 the weather was highly variable until September when the sun shone reliably, as so often it does in the Loire. Quality-conscious vignerons like the Caslots spent many hours in their vineyard and consequently produced excellent wines reminiscent of the highly regarded 2002s. Good viticulture as ever isa key to great wines.
Your 2007 vintage is lovely and opening up just now with a spicy, green pepper nose and fresh, juicy palate of raspberry coulis and dark plum. It has a long, well defined finish. You can drink it now through to 2016 – try it with grilled rump of beef or shoulder of lamb for a great match.
Vintage 2010 was excellent and comparable with the great 2005s and 2009s for those who waited to pick. Several days of heavy rain early in October prompted many to harvest early to avoid rot. The Caslots waited however, and were rewarded by a fine spell of weather during the vendange.
Your 2010 Vieilles Vignes has a deep colour and a classic Cabernet Franc fragrance of graphite, raspberry and earth. The palate is vibrant and fruity with bright summer fruits laced with cream. There is spice and liquorice in the finish, which is long and very well defined. It is a wine of excellent concentration; juicy, supple and possessing superb balance. It can of course be broached now but do hold some back as it will gain considerable complexity with time in a good cellar. Drink to 2020-2025.