So brambly and complex. Just ripe red fruits, pencil led, manure that blows off other than the prettiest hint. But green and peppery, a little more vegetal than desired. Very good, even in an ok vintage.
So brambly and complex. Just ripe red fruits, pencil led, manure that blows off other than the prettiest hint. But green and peppery, a little more vegetal than desired. Very good, even in an ok vintage.
Aug 14th, 2021
My Labor Day wine. Sad to see summer come to an end but alway looking forward to fall, which this wine is perfect for.
My Labor Day wine. Sad to see summer come to an end but alway looking forward to fall, which this wine is perfect for.
Sep 5th, 2017
Charming, textbook mature Chinon with freshly ground black pepper and barely ripe raspberry. With air, a more exotic spice profile unfurls alongside earthy and floral flourishes. Fresh and lively in the mouth, with lightly gripping tannins promising another decade of aging potential. A compact wine, but complex, and complete from nose to finish. Imported by Louis Dressner, this vintage was purchased recently at Wine Warehouse in Charlottesville, VA.
Charming, textbook mature Chinon with freshly ground black pepper and barely ripe raspberry. With air, a more exotic spice profile unfurls alongside earthy and floral flourishes. Fresh and lively in the mouth, with lightly gripping tannins promising another decade of aging potential. A compact wine, but complex, and complete from nose to finish. Imported by Louis Dressner, this vintage was purchased recently at Wine Warehouse in Charlottesville, VA.
Aug 12th, 2017
I can see the quality here and am going to rate it as such, but I couldn't get past the nose which was a combination of deer piss and manure. The taste made up for the smell, but gawd dayum that nose.
I can see the quality here and am going to rate it as such, but I couldn't get past the nose which was a combination of deer piss and manure. The taste made up for the smell, but gawd dayum that nose.
Mar 20th, 2017
Always fun to check in on these. Tobacco leaf, forest floor, button mushroom, manure, smoke, bramble, chalk, pencil lead. So much freshness. Super fine tannin. A touch more linear than I remember.
Always fun to check in on these. Tobacco leaf, forest floor, button mushroom, manure, smoke, bramble, chalk, pencil lead. So much freshness. Super fine tannin. A touch more linear than I remember.
Jan 7th, 2017
Raffault at 10 years. Heaven. Beautiful autumn wine.
Raffault at 10 years. Heaven. Beautiful autumn wine.
Oct 8th, 2016
Mason Balistreri 
Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits
9.0
9 years seems to be just the right amount of time for a Chinon to hit its stride. The greenness has eased up and the savory fruit came out, along with black olive, raspberry and graphite.
9 years seems to be just the right amount of time for a Chinon to hit its stride. The greenness has eased up and the savory fruit came out, along with black olive, raspberry and graphite.
Jul 14th, 2016
A bit tight but opened up after a while. Still needs lots of time. Built for the long haul
A bit tight but opened up after a while. Still needs lots of time. Built for the long haul
Jun 10th, 2016
In a very savory place. Green pepper, black pepper, ash and stones. Not a whole lot of fruit at the moment except maybe a touch of underripe raspberry.
In a very savory place. Green pepper, black pepper, ash and stones. Not a whole lot of fruit at the moment except maybe a touch of underripe raspberry.
Mar 30th, 2016
Classic and youthful. Quite aromatic with just a hint of bell pepper. Lots of blonde rainier cherry with subtle pencil shavings, dusty earth, and cayenne. Lots of years ahead of this one.
Classic and youthful. Quite aromatic with just a hint of bell pepper. Lots of blonde rainier cherry with subtle pencil shavings, dusty earth, and cayenne. Lots of years ahead of this one.
Mar 7th, 2016
Chinon, Touraine, Loire Valley, France
