I could stop right here. This wine has
such a big fan club that keeping it in
stock is a huge problem. We just got our
allocation of the 2009s from France so
now is the time to get some while it is available because the 2009 vintage is just outstanding.
There is something you should know about the 2009 vintage in the Loire. Some people are even saying it's historic, and everybody is saying it is exceptional.
Here is how the growers are describing their harvest: "the freshness of 2005, combined with the richness of 2003", "some truly great wines (no exaggeration)", "lovely fruit, wonderful concentration and balance - on a par with 1989 and 1997".
Wine Spectator chimes in with "...best and most consistent harvest since 2005."
This is the moment to uncork some Loire wines.
I knew Les Chanteaux was highly sought after by all the best restaurants, but I was speaking to Mr. Couly recently and he reminded me that, in fact, it is on the wine list at 21 of the 26 Michelin Three-Star restaurants in France! That is unheard-of representation for a single wine at France's best restaurants.
Les Chanteaux is 100% Chenin Blanc. It
comes from two different vineyards in Chinon:
Les
Goupillieres and Les Molieres,
both known
for
their chalky soil and sunny exposures. The
wine is harvested by tri which means
multiple
passes are made through the vineyards to
pick only the ripest grapes.
It is a dry, round, vibrant wine with flowery
aromas and a little melon and white pear on the
palate. This wine is
similar to its Loire cousin Vouvray but it
has more
weight and depth; it is a wonderful and unique
expression of pure Chenin Blanc, and it is a
wonderful and delicious break from Chardonnay.
Domaine Couly-Dutheil is a family estate
that's been around for about 80 years.
Baptist Dutheil married Marie Couly yada yada
and they bought a piece of the most famous
vineyard in Chinon, Clos de l'Echo, which
used to be owned by Rabelais's father.
Rabelais was the 15th century satirist who
believed a good, brimming glass of Chinon
would probably do you a lot more good than
putting your faith in Catholicism (he was
banned by the Catholic church) and many
agreed, which is why Rabelais is Chinon's
spiritual mascot to this day and it's a sin
to find yourself in this village with an
empty glass. I love French history.
Cynthia
Hurley
