22 November 2017
This St Nicolas de Bourgueil AOP, one of the only few Appelations of the Loire Valley producing mainly red wines, has the typical characteristics of a Cabernet Franc.
Didn’t expect much from this 12.50 EUR wine that I bought at an “all-natural” store in Marseille, while cruising. What attracted my attention, and probably adds up to 50% to the wine’s price, have been the two bio certifications and the Demeter stamp of biodynamic viticulture and appropriate winemaking.
To guarantee a natural product, the additives (not) used during vinification are at least as important as the ones (not) used in the cultivation of the grapes. For this reason, for the health conscious, it is imperative to monitor both processes. Biological grapes don’t necessarily produce bio wines!
On the nose a predominance of herbaceous notes, tobacco and black spices. The vegetal sensations also dominates the mouth, where the wine shows a rather light body and not much of an aftertaste. Overall, to avoid buying.
Country: France
Region: Loire Valley
Grapes: Cabernet Franc
Type: Red
Vintage: 2015
Producer: Amirault
Price range: Medium (15-30 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 1/5