I am not an expert, just a discerning wine lover or amateur de vin (as the French say), but everyone has a different palate, likes and dislikes so it must be understood that any of my recommendations are personal. I just hope that you find them useful or at the very least - interesting. I also hope you enjoy my photos. It is more fun sharing then keeping them backed up on a hard drive.

Friday, January 31, 2014

Not the Cab you think of first...

When most of us think of Cabernet, we think of Cabernet Sauvignon. I like Cab Sauv a great deal but have become very fond of Cabernet Franc. It all started about a decade ago when I visited the Loire and attended Viti Loire. I had not really been exposed to all the wonderful wines of the Loire - most specifically the Cab Francs of Chinon and Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil and now I was completely immersed. Years later I find myself attracted to the Cabernet Francs of Ontario - they do not have the identical profile but share many of the same attributes.

COULY-DUTHEIL LA BARONNIE MADELEINE 2010 - CHINON, LOIRE, FRANCE - $21.95  
Floral and berry nose with a dusty smokiness. Full-bodied, ripe blackberry and plum on the palate. Surprisingly rich wine with a toasty, dry finish and good tannin structure.
http://lcbo.com/lcboear/lcbo/product/searchResults.doITEM_NAME=COULYDUTHEIL+LA+BARONNIE+MADELEINE+CHINON+20&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN
http://coulydutheil-chinon.com/en/chinon-wine/



TAWSE LAUNDRY VINEYARD CABERNET FRANC 2010 - NIAGARA PENINSULA, CANADA - $31.95 
Very fragrant floral nose. Elegant wine with fresh raspberry and blackberry fruit. Lively acids that give long, clean finish. 
http://lcbo.com/lcboear/lcbo/product/searchResults.doITEM_NAME=TAWSE+LAUNDRY+VINEYARD+CABERNET+FRANC+2010&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN
http://www.tawsewinery.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&page_id=21