Saturday, 20 November 2010

Anjou-Villages Brissac, La Croix de Mission, Domaine des Rochelles, 2005

One from the first Wine Society batch. Given where this wine originates from, I assumed this was going to be 100% Cabernet Franc and ordered it on this basis. On first inspection I thought it tasted different from the other Loire reds I've had but managed to convince myself I could detect some traces of what I expected - classic example of the power of suggestion and a great argument for bind tasting - and went as far as chilling it! Now I realise it is 90% Cabernet Sauvingnon and 10% Cabernet Franc I have set about convincing myself that I recognise the strains of the former! Anyway I do think there is a noteworthy point here in as much as the two grapes do seem to share some similarities in terms of their tannins. Both seem to have that very abrupt, dry finish I associate with some the the Chilean Motes Alpha pure Cabernet Savignon's I've had over the years. How did it taste? Nice enough without being hugely memorable. It had some purity and was not unbalanced but worth £11? Not sure. I will stash one away and try it again in a few years time (apparent it will keep well for another 5).


2 comments:

Wine bore said...

So much for waiting a few years. Just had the sole remaining bottle. It definitely benefited from being decanted an hour before imbibing (loads of sediment - presumably I ingested that last time).

Real structure to it. Leathery, dry finish but really interesting fruit prior to that. Very dark inky colour, black teeth all round!

I would come back to this at £11 as it will cover the claret ground comfortably.

Wine bore said...
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