Jacky Blot sadly passed away recently, and oversaw in his time two Loire domaines that produce Chenin and Cabernet Franc respectively. I tried last year one of his whites, which blew me away, and enjoyed a similar experience with the 2018 ‘Mi-Pente’, a single vineyard Cab Franc from Bourgueil. This being my first wine from Bourgueil and one of a tiny few Cab Francs that I’ve tried from the Loire as a whole, I would have no idea where to place this in a blind tasting. But my word, what a spectacular wine!
It’s so enticing on the nose - initially quite bretty, but then broadening out to reveal aromas of fresh cherry, cranberry and blackcurrant, along with a savoury edge comprising cedar, tobacco, lavender and tomato leaf. The palate is at once fresh but powerful, structured and elegant; savoury with flecks of sweet cherry chocolate. This is an engrossing wine, utterly drinkable with great ageing potential. I am totally smitten, and look forward to trying more wines from this domaine in the future.
94+
Jacky Blot sadly passed away recently, and oversaw in his time two Loire domaines that produce Chenin and Cabernet Franc respectively. I tried last year one of his whites, which blew me away, and enjoyed a similar experience with the 2018 ‘Mi-Pente’, a single vineyard Cab Franc from Bourgueil. This being my first wine from Bourgueil and one of a tiny few Cab Francs that I’ve tried from the Loire as a whole, I would have no idea where to place this in a blind tasting. But my word, what a spectacular wine!
It’s so enticing on the nose - initially quite bretty, but then broadening out to reveal aromas of fresh cherry, cranberry and blackcurrant, along with a savoury edge comprising cedar, tobacco, lavender and tomato leaf. The palate is at once fresh but powerful, structured and elegant; savoury with flecks of sweet cherry chocolate. This is an engrossing wine, utterly drinkable with great ageing potential. I am totally smitten, and look forward to trying more wines from this domaine in the future.
94+
Jul 17th, 2024
If you close your eyes and sniff, it has the huge aromatic volume of a cru classe right bank cab franc. But on the palate it’s way more linear and silky smooth and finishes long.
If you close your eyes and sniff, it has the huge aromatic volume of a cru classe right bank cab franc. But on the palate it’s way more linear and silky smooth and finishes long.
Aug 2nd, 2020
Earthy, brambly. Tobacco, bell pepper, black pepper, graphite, black currant.
Earthy, brambly. Tobacco, bell pepper, black pepper, graphite, black currant.
Nov 4th, 2017
Bourgueil, Touraine, Loire Valley, France
