A year ago January I posted this tasting note:
2005 Vaillant Domaine Les Grandes Viges "Les Cocainelles Anjou-Village...Garagiste purchase...only the second Anjou red I've ever tasted, and it bears an undeniable resemblance to the first...dark wines so dense they were almost opaque, seeming highly extracted with intense plummy flavors and a pickly acidity. This one, thankfully, is less grapey than the other but [they are otherwise very similar]...is this cab franc? I presumed it was when I opened it, but I have to admit it doesn't taste like cab franc as I know it. Anyway, so all of the above plus pretty ferocious tannins made it impossible for us to want a second glass or even enjoy the one we had...based on these two Anjous I won't be rushing to try any others. But tell me, where do these wines go (unfortunately, I bought more than one bottle ), and what am I supposed to like about them?
What a difference a year makes. A bottle opened last night had lost everything that was awkward and disagreeable about it before. Yes, its still dense and I wouldn't say that's my preference, but at least it fits in its skin now. Dense dark color and big bodied with assertive and attractive black currant, black plum and fresh dirt notes on the nose and palate. A bit of licorice plays in the background. Drinks well as a sipper and with food would be best paired with hearty, big ticket stuff like belgian beer stews and greek-style roast lamb.