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Chinon Domaine de Beaulieu 2023
Chinon Domaine de Beaulieu 2023 is closed to the birthplace of Francois Rabelais.
Michael Monceau’s estate covers 13.5 hectares
In its first flush of youth, the delightful Chinon produced on the property is fruity, reminiscent of the aromas of red berries, wild strawberries and the perfume of violets. In the mouth the wine is lightly tannic, typical of the Cabernet Franc grape variety, but the wine grows rounder with age. A delightful expression of AOC Chinon,.
Grape Variety: Cabernet Franc.
Tasting Notes:
Robe: Deep ruby colour.
Nose: fruity with red berries and hints of stone fruits such as Cherry.
Palate: Both Mineral and deep. The wine is aromatic and light in tannins which allows potential for ageing between 3 to 10 years.
Food Pairing: ideal with the local goat cheese such as Petit Sainte-Maure or Selles sur Cher.
It is also a great friend with some grilled meat on the BBQ during a hot weather.
Cabernet Franc, the grape variety of Chinon, Domaine de Beaulieu
First, it is the grape variety of the great red wines of the Loire Valley and Chinon in particular. This grape variety reveals all its complexity and aromatic potential . “Breton”, the other name of Cabernet Franc. As surprising as it may seem, there are indeed no less than four theories explaining the use of the name “Breton” to qualify the main red grape variety of the Loire Valley, now called “Cabernet Franc”.
- Indeed, around the 11th century, river transport on the Loire and its tributaries was managed by Breton boatmen. They delivered Cabernet Franc plants from Aquitaine to Touraine. On their return, they brought home the wine of the region: the “wine of the Bretons”.
- Later, in the 16th and the beginning of the 17th century, the powerful Le Breton family, whose father Jean Le Breton was manager of the works of the Château de Chambord, and his son, Claude Le Breton, secretary of the king for Finance, largely planted this variety in Touraine and particularly in the region of Chinon.
- Finally, we owe François Rabelais the first writing clearly evoking the name “Breton” for this grape variety (see above).
- And if that were not enough, in the 18th century, Cardinal de Richelieu, staying in Guyenne (Aquitaine), had thousands of plants from Bordeaux planted on his lands in Chinon and Bourgueil by his steward Abbé Breton. Thus, on the notarial deeds concerning these vines, one specified “plants of the Abbé Breton”, which later became “breton plant”.
( M. Le Comte Odart, L’Ampelographie universelle or treatise on the most esteemed grape varieties in all the vineyards of some renown, 1845 and Roger Dion, History of the vine and wine in France from the origins to the 19th century, Paris, CNRS editions , 2010. )
Chinon Grape Variety, Domaine de Beaulieu
It is round a little wrapped, but what a beautiful body!
The catchphrase of Chinon wines, which is reminiscent of the giants of Rabelais, is defined as follows:
- Round : impression given by a gourmet wine with silky tannins.
- Wrapped : describes the volume in the mouth of a rich and harmonious wine.
- Body : character of a wine qualifying its consistency, intensity and power.
Aging potential: The wines open out within two or three years; the most structured deserve to be waited for 10 years, or even much longer depending on the vintage.
Serving temperature : 14°C
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