Chinon + Porcini Cream = TLA
Recently, I've quite enjoyed Cabernet Franc. Yet this CF is already stealing the wine-show in 2006. Of course my sensory nirvana was naturally enhanced by Stephen's PCL - Porcini Cream Lasagna. This Saturday night dining experience is already filed in that special brain drawer reserved for the most excellent wine & home cooking combos. If you can lay your hands on this Loire Valley lovely, do so at once. And, drink it now; it's not up for cellaring much longer (as the Caveman would say, "It's at its apogee").
The Skinny
Charles Joguet 'Les Petites Roches' Chinon AOC 2002 (~$20 - available online) [imported in the US by Kermit Lynch]
- Cabernet Franc from Chinon - a red wine producing region in France's white wine-famous Loire Valley (yes Virginia, there is red wine in the Loire)
- Dusty ruby in color - just waiting for me to take a long sip
- Complex & layered scents of ripe cherry, redcurrant, cedar and earth
- Integrated and appealing flavors of cherry, red plum, savory spices and a terrific mint/eucalyptus finish. The mouthfeel is rich but not overwhelming with pleasant, unobtrusive tannins. As far as twenty-dollar wines go, this is just about as good as it gets. Like I said, TLA (true love always)
**** (4 stars out of 5)
I got lucky with the Porcini Cream Lasagna. You might also try roasted meat, poultry or even Mssr. Joguet's recommendation of fresh goat cheese.
Tagged with: wine + chinon + french wine + Loire Valley + cabernet franc
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