Le Tasting Room

My first appointment at the Salon des Vins on Monday morning was with Carine Rezé of Vignoble de la Jarnoterie.  This 24 hectare estate is within the appellation of St Nicolas de Bourgueil , contained within the confines of Touraine and Anjou.  It's a family vineyard that was created in 1893 and is still under the same ownership 5 generations later.  Here they produce a rosé and three reds, all from the Cabernet Franc grape variety. Rosé accounts for only 1% of production in St Nicolas.

Rosé 2009 St Nicolas de Bourgueil

Fresh and fruity on the nose with aromas of summer fruits - a short maceration takes place to maximise fruit flavours.  On the palate, light, fresh, crisp, dry but not austere,  good acidity with the summer fruit flavours continuing to the finish.

Cuvee MR 2008 St Nicolas de Bourgueil

Cabernet Franc which has had 3 months in chestnut futs in tuffeau caves.  Soft aromas of woodland fruit & blackberry.  Light on the palate, little tannin, easy drinking, soft and smooth.  Not a big wine but a good lunchtime wine.

Concerto 2006 St Nicolas de Bourgueil

Made from old vignes with an average of 60-80 years and given 6 to 8 months in chestnut  futs. Grapes are hand picked and sorted.  Nice ripe fruit aromas on the nose, again an easy style with medium tannins that keep it light on the palate but with a little spice, pepper and black fruit.

Improvisation 2008 St Nicolas de Bourgueil

Vines of 40-60 years old and 6 months ageing in chestnuts futs with around 30% going into small oak barrels.

A lovely ripe black fruit nose which carries through on the palate.  A hint of vanilla reveals itself on the mid palate but remains subtle and integrated rather than dominant.  More complex then the previous two wines but still remains accessible and tannins although present are still soft rather than chewy and green.

To summarise I found the wines light in style but because of this I feel they are accessible and drinkable now.  For those who prefer a lighter style of wine and don't like strong, firm tannins, the wines from St Nicolas are excellent.  The Cuvée MR 2006 was selected by Sam Harrop MW as one of the Cabernet Franc wine ambassadors in 2008.  This is an ongoing initiative to find wines that represent a modern style of Cabernet Franc that suits the British palate.

www.mabileau-reze.com