Domaine de la Chevalerie Bourgueil "Noms D'Oiseaux" - A Great Cabernet Franc
4/5/24 -
The Caslot family of Domaine de la Chevalerie, like the Baudrys in Chinon or the Gonons in Saint-Joseph, possesses the skill, intelligence, committment and just plain magic that captures their beautiful terroir and great farming in the bottle for our enjoyment. "Wine has no value unless it is shared" is the Caslot's motto and we couldn't agree more - it gives us great pleasure to share their wines with you - and today we feature a new wine from the Caslots that is astonishingly delicious, given the reasonable price.
2019 Bourgueil "Noms D'Oiseaux"
This new Chevalerie cuvée is from two parcels symbolic of the domain, each situated at the two extremities of the slope overlooking the Loire. One parcel is at the top of the slope with thin soils of wind-blown sand and weathered clay over the turonian limestone, giving a light, aromatic and intensely mineral wine. This is combined with grapes from a terrace near the bottom of the hill, with coarse gravels of quartz, silica and limestone marl giving ripe fruit flavors and sappy texture.
The resulting blend is called “Noms d’Oiseaux” to warn of the urgent need to respect our biodiversity, not just false pretences but through real actions. This is achieved at Chevalerie through organic and Biodyanamic farming with:
- Permanent grassing in order to preserve the intrinsic biodiversity of the place and the life on the surface
- Agroforestry with the planting of more than 200 trees and fruit trees of different varieties creating more than 2 kilometres of hedgerows
- Preservation of the natural habitat of a number of species (birds, bats, etc), by establishing water points and nesting boxes
The 2019 "Noms D'Oiseaux" is a subtle and intriguing Bourgueil showing a bright deep black/red/garnet color with fresh aromas of black raspberry, ripe cherry, violet, tobacco, citrus and earth. On the palate there is firm acidity and and a sapid, chalky texture with ripe black raspberry and strawberry fruit with earth, licorice, stone and spice notes. The fruit shows layers of complexity with aeration, the finish is long and sapid with red fruits and earth lingering on the palate. This has opened up into a remarkably complex and satisfying Bourgueil that will beautifully accompany a roasted farm chicken, pork dishes and full flavored cheeses. This drank beautifully over 4 days at my house, astonishing me with it's quality and value. Buy a case or two to enjoy over the next 5 years! David Lillie
10% discount on a case or mixed case
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