On my way back from France this afternoon, I stopped at a nice little wine shop close to the border and though I thought I was going to pick up a bunch of stuff from Alsace, I ended up buying mostly Loire since they had a pretty good selection (of Loire and Sud-Ouest for some wonderful reason–Yes!) Here were a couple of old friends:
2009 Catherine & Pierre Breton ‚Les Galichets‘ Bourgueil –Loire, France 12,5%
Just what I needed to satiate a long dry spell away from good Loire Cabernet Franc. Delicious. The Peacemaker - it pretty much settled any quarrel that juicy cabernet franc may have had with spicy cabernet franc and this is a perfect marriage of the two. Packed with black currant, elderberry, chicory, parsley, and Underberg secret spice, this is an impressive vintage for Les Galichets.
2009 Domaine Les Hautes Noëlles (Serge Batard) Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu –Loire, France 12,0%
The creamiest, most full-bodied vintage since 2006 for Batard, but without the noticeable botrytis of that year. Even so, the Muscadet aromas are a joy to behold, those of orange, lime-ceviched seafood, oysters, basil and kelp. Sure, it could use a little more acidity, and a little less body, but that is what 2010 is for.
Cheers,
Bill