2019 Le Grand Bouqueteau Chinon Tradition Loire Valley France 750 ml

Sommeliers at top restaurants around the United States have been catching on to the spectacular value to be found in the classic Loire Valley reds. And of the obsessed-over appellations along the legendary river, none is hotter right now than Chinon. 

The 2019 Le Grand Bouqueteau Chinon Tradition is a delicious lesson in all that makes the appellation so special, and fans of Cabernet Sauvignon should pay particular attention. With its saturated ruby-purple color, and energetic flavors of black cherries, red plums, wildflowers, and kirsch, this wine will charm Bordeaux obsessives, as well as fans of the energetic yet concentrated reds from Napa Valley’s mountain appellations. 

Cabernet Franc’s ancestral home is the Loire Valley, and Le Grand Bouqueteau’s Tradition is an exquisite expression of the variety, reaching a level of elegance and length that’s notable even among other Chinons that cost twice as much. The winemaking for this classic followed a meticulous regimen: After the pristine grapes were harvested and the juice was fermented, it was racked three times to ensure a crystalline clarity that adds to the silky texture. Ten percent of the cuvée spent several months in 500-liter oak barrels, which allowed the wine to gently micro-oxygenate, lending even further suppleness to the mouthfeel.

The result is a red that hits all the right notes: It’s lifted yet concentrated, propulsive yet rich, and capable of aging for another five years, no problem. Delicious on its own and incredibly versatile at the table, it’s no wonder top sommeliers have been snapping up the best of Chinon with such determination.