Lambert, Patrick 2019 Chinon Vieilles Vignes

The delicious Chinon Vieilles Vignes of Patrick Lambert is from 55 - 60 year-old vines on sandy clay soils over limestone. Hand harvested and fermented with wild yeasts, as are all of Lambert's wines, the Vieilles Vignes gets 12 months of aging in old barrels. The wine shows a deep red/black color and ripe blackberry and strawberry liqueur aromas. The palate is lush and ripe in 2019, showing earthy blackberry and strawberry compote with prune and bitter chocolate over a chalky structure. This is a complex, old-fashioned Chinon that will accompany roast chicken and anything off the grill, served a bit cool. Showing beautifully in January 2024, but age for five to ten years for a mature experience. Great value, of course... -David Lillie