The Wine
Bourgueil Vieilles Vignes
Bourgueil is made from the Cabernet Franc grape, and this wine is produced from some of Pierre’s oldest vines, which were planted some 75 years ago. Although the whole area enjoys a temperate microclimate, well sheltered from the prevailing northerly wind, it is the precise location of each vineyard which affects the quality and style of the wine. With the latitude of the Côte de Beaune and the longitude of Saint-Émilion, Bourgueil is ideally situated for making fine wine.
Pierre, like his father, is a great respecter of tradition. He vinifies his wine first in the traditional wooden cuves before the second fermentation in modern stainless steel. This is followed by a period of ageing in old oak barrels, which allows the wine to develop without masking the fruit.
The young wine has a delightful fresh, floral bouquet of red fruit, and a dominant raspberry or blackcurrant flavour with just a hint of characteristic earthiness. Drunk cellar cool on a summer's day, it is the perfect partner for a pâté and cheese picnic. You can enjoy it now, but if cellared carefully it will continue to develop for several years.
The older wines develop a more robust nose and an altogether more complex flavour with hints of cherry, chocolate, liquorice and nuts. Although they are particularly good with all meat dishes and strong cheese, they can still be enjoyed as an aperitif, served slightly chilled.
Wine available for the 2011 Option:
Bourgueil Vieilles Vignes 2010 (red)
6,83€ per bottle (exc. VAT)*
Bourgueil Vieilles Vignes 2007 (red)
7,43€ per bottle (exc. VAT)*
*Guide price based on the last Option round. Prices will be updated summer 2010.