Highly Recommended

(continued) 90–94pts

Château Le Moulin-Neuf, St-Nicolas de Bourgueil 2017

91 JB 88 CK 93 BL 92 N/A UK www.mabileau.fr Beautifully perfumed nose, dark berry fruits, limestone. Bright freshness, fabulously honest expression of Cabernet Franc: pure summer fruit and energy. Drink 2018-2025 Alc 12.5%

Domaine des Mailloches, Vielles Vignes, Bourgueil 2017

91 JB 92 CK 90 BL 90 N/A UK +33 (0)2 47 97 33 10 A solid nose with elements of spice and black fruit. The palate is compact with ripe, spicy tannins, just enough acidity to hold up the fruit of blackcurrant and a strong finish of praline.

Drink 2018-2024 Alc 13%

Jean-Maurice Raffault, Clos d’Isoré, Chinon 2016

91 JB 93 CK 89 BL 92 £17.99 Champagnes & Châteaux This is a wine that requires concentration as it is classic and with age will reward the drinker. For now the oak is a little too showy, however the fruit and structure are all there for a long life. Drink 2018-2028 Alc 12.5%

Couly-Dutheil, Baronnie Madeleine, Chinon 2015

90 JB 94 CK 93 BL 83 £15.75 D Byrne, Richard Granger, Stainton Wines, Thorman Hunt Sandalwood and broad herbal fruit on the nose. The palate is restrained, savoury, dry and sappy with a slight sweet toasted note on the finish. Drink 2018-2028 Alc 13.5%

Domaine de la Cotelleraie, St-Nicolas de Bourgueil 2017

91 JB 91 CK 89 BL 92 POA Charles Sydney Wines Smoky, grained fruit on the nose. Supple and easygoing with a rather solid style of fruit – red cherry, lightly grilled, with some peppery-fresh acidity. Drink 2018-2025 Alc 12.5%

Domaine Dozon, Clos du Saut au Loup, Chinon 2017

91 JB 91 CK 90 BL 93 N/A UK www.domaine-dozon.fr Light chalk-dusty nose. The palate is fresh, convincing, broad, lightly grippy, with ripe structure, lightly green minty elements and piles of acid energy. With age, this wine will be a classic. Drink 2018-2025 Alc 13%

Pierre Sourdais, Tradition, Chinon 2017 91 JB 92 CK 93 BL 89

£13.20-£14.50

Carruthers & Kent, Enotria&Coe, Exel, Great Western Wine, Quality Wines Beautiful black cherry stone and cherry skin fruit, pure and defined. A brilliant entry-level Chinon, showing just a lick of tannin alongside stunning fruit purity and a hint of herby texture. Drink 2018-2021 Alc 12.5%

Domaine de L’R, Les Folies du Noyer Vert, Chinon 2017

90 JB 87 CK 89 BL 93 N/A UK www.domainedelr.com Rather animally, gamey character on the nose, a touch of root vegetable too. The palate feels more pure than the nose, with its supple, fleshy, broad texture and a delicate acidic finish. Drink 2018-2023 Alc 12.5%

Domaine de la Haute Olive, Chinon 2017 91 JB 95 CK 88 BL 91

N/A UK

+33 (0)2 47 93 04 08 A slightly more stalky interpretation of Chinon on the nose here. Certainly a little vegetal, showing celeriac and beetroot notes, some capsicum and cassis too. Finishes clean and bright. Drink 2018-2023 Alc 12.5%

Francis Desbourdes, l’Arpenty, Chinon 2016 91 JB 94 CK 92 BL 88

£14.50

Yapp Bros Grilled pip. Fresh fruit, iced blackcurrant, fresh and pure. The palate shows a pithy and grippy style, with fine structure, and a long, structured finish. Drink 2018-2025 Alc 13%

Y Amirault, Les Malgagnes Amphore, St-Nicolas de Bourgueil 2016 91 JB 88 CK 91 BL 94

£28.95-£30 DeFine Food & Wine, Lea & Sandeman, Thorman Hunt, Vin Cognito Redcurrant, violet and fresh Victoria plums on the nose. Crunchy, lightly grained fruit, rather leafy, with a little lactic note alongside it. It’s a lovely example. Drink 2018-2025 Alc 13%

Le Chêne Rouge, Bourgueil 2015

90 JB 86 CK 91 BL 92 N/AUK www.cavesdelaloire.com Creamy vanilla oak on the nose, with crushed grilled summer fruits beneath. The palate shows admirable silky texture, finessed and fresh, with some nice substance, and a long finish laced with vanillin oak. An ageworthy example. Drink 2018-2025 Alc 12.5%