I first heard of Domaine du Rochouard when it showed up in
Decanter magazine a while back with
five out of five stars (5****) for one
of its wines.
I was on the phone with proprietor Dominique
Duveau shortly after to request a rendezvous.
He was reluctant since he is such a small
producer, and fearful of getting his
production gobbled up by some big importer
who cares more about quantity than quality,
but after I explained that small, high
quality independent producers are the only
growers we deal with, he loosened up.
The consensus is that the 2009 vintage is the best vintage the Loire has enjoyed since the remarkable 2005.
You probably know by now that if you like to
drink wine often, as I do, the Loire has some
of the best wine values out there. I know
you've poured Sancerre from time to time and
maybe some Muscadet and maybe even a Chinon,
so it's hardly a leap at all to fill your
next glass with a Bourgueil (boor-Goy).
Bourgueil is not far from Chinon. Bourgueil
is part of the Touraine. It's north of the
Loire River, west of Tours. The climate is
mild and you will run into the odd palm tree.
This red is 100% Cabernet Franc.
Here's what Guide Hachette says about
the wines of Domaine du Rochouard:
"One appreciates the almost violet robe of
the wine, its nose expressive of red and
black fruits, embellished with some licorice,
but above all, the abundant material coming from
a ripe harvest. The tannins put their two
cents in, but not too strongly and the final
taste returns to that licorice." - Guide
Hachette
It's always a relief to show up at a new
vineyard and see an impeccable operation. You
could do open heart surgery in the tasting
room and that usually says something about
the wine.
The Domaine was started in 1969, Dominique
Duveau joined his father in 1995, and in 2007
Dominique's brother joined him upon their
father's retirement.
Cuvée Coteau comes from a small
two-hectare plot of limestone, clay, and sandy
soil. The grapes are macerated in the tank
for about three weeks. Dominique does not age
Coteau in wood.
Cuvée Coteau is a full-bodied, rich
wine with notes of dark currants and that
uniquely expressive nose that only comes from
a wine that's 100% Cabernet Franc. I tasted
ripe, roasted cherries. Bourgueil! You will
want this in your glass. Cynthia
Hurley
