Highly Recommended

(continued) 90–94pts

Baudry-Dutour, Amaranthe, Chinon 2017 92 JB 94 CK 92 BL 89

N/A UK

www.baudry-dutour.fr Limestone, redcurrant and red cherry aromas. Lightly creamy fruit, black cherry, graphite texture and cassis. Tannins ripe but fruit seems a little muted on the finish, which has a touch of almond paste. Drink 2018-2023 Alc 13%

Domaine de la Cotelleraie, Le Vau Jaumier, St-Nicolas de Bourgueil 2016 92 JB 94 CK 91 BL 90

N/A UK

www.domaine-cotelleraie.com Sooty, smoky aromas, softly textured with structure and tannins, some wood notes. Needs a little time in bottle but good length and potential. Drink 2018-2029 Alc 12.5%

Frédéric Mabileau, Les Racines, Bourgueil 2015 92 JB 93 CK 95 BL 87

N/A UK

www.fredericmabileau.com Fragrant black fruit aromas, initially very seductive. Palate complete and harmonious, fresh, with dried currant and juniper berry, green peppercorn, crushed rocks and mint. Delicious, quite classic, shows substance and potential as well. Drink 2018-2023 Alc 12.5%

Vignoble de la Jarnoterie, Cuvée Elégante MR, St-Nicolas de Bourgueil 2017 92 JB 90 CK 93 BL 93

N/A UK

www.jarnoterie.com Some red fruit concentration, edgy, with rich peppery energy. Carries the texture of the village and is a wine to age, to allow the puppy fat to diminish and the leaner mineral fruit to shine through. Drink 2018-2025 Alc 12.5%

Charles Joguet, Clos de la Dioterie, Chinon 2015 92 JB 92 CK 94 BL 90

£27

Lay & Wheeler Grained berry fruit with toasted black cherry. Supple, broad, rich and warm character, with lots of textural substance. Serious, perfumed and primary Cabernet Franc character, lots of length. Drink 2018-2026 Alc 13.5%

La Caves des Vins de Rabelais, Le Fauteuil Rouge, Chinon 2015

92 JB 93 CK 92 BL 91 N/A UK www.loire-proprietes.com Dark and brimming with toasted, chocolatetinged oak on the nose. On the palate it’s bold, broad and rich, showing creamy dark fruits, followed by perfumed rose petal notes.

Drink 2019-2026 Alc 12.5%

Amirault, Le Clos des Quarterons, St-Nicolas de Bourgueil 2015 91 JB 92 CK 93 BL 89

£20

The Vintner, Wine Source Vanilla and limestone dust on the nose, very elegant palate, perfumed, textured and substantial, with a pithy, crushed cherry fruit profile. Vibrant acidity and spicy complexity on the finish. Drink 2018-2024 Alc 12.5%

Domaine de La Butte, Mi-Pente, Bourgueil 2015 92 JB 94 CK 92 BL 90

£25-£30 Widely available via UK agent Charles Sydney Wines Blackcurrant and blackberry aromas. Textured palate, substance, minty black fruits swirled with the oak. Quite charming, with a long, brooding finish. Drink 2018-2022 Alc 13%

Domaine du Mortier, Sables, St-Nicolas de Bourgueil 2017 92

JB 92 CK 94 BL 90 £16 Vine Trail Fragrant floral aromas, cherry and cherrystone fruit with plum cream, perfume, limestone dust and fragrant violets, wrapped in a silky palate texture. Some soft and svelte tannins, charm, delicacy and length. Drink 2018-2024 Alc 12%

Serge et Bruno Sourdais, Le Logis de la Bouchardière, Chinon 2017

92 JB 92 CK 91 BL 92 £13-£15 St Andrews Wine Co, WoodWinters Lovely floral scent, quite elegant and composed. Feels complete on the palate with ripe tannin and a lick of acidity. This needs time to finesse, but has a lovely grip to the end.

Drink 2018-2025 Alc 12.5%

Bernard Baudry, Les Granges, Chinon 2016 91 JB 95 CK 88 BL 89

£13.95

Lea & Sandeman Smoky toasted aromas, generous red fruits, lots of youthful grip and confident berry flavours. Some capsicum notes, some grainy tannins, light structure and vibrant acidity on the finish. Drink 2018-2027 Alc 12% ➢

‘Quality was broadly very good. I found myself scoring more wines in the 90s than I was expecting’ Chris Kissack