2019 Pascal et Alain Lorieux Chinon Theleme Loire Valley 750 ml

“You’ve got to taste this.”

We get plenty of texts like that, but few come from respected authors of famous wine books and renowned podcasts like Elizabeth Schneider of Wine for Normal People.

It took weeks to track down the elusive wine from her message, but once the earthy, red-fruited 2019 Pascal et Alain Lorieux Chinon Thélème was finally in our glasses, we knew we needed to obtain a sizable allocation for our members.

Take a sip and you’ll understand why our first offer sold out and inspired such raves. The nose bursts with classic notes of raspberry and blackberry, accented by fresh earth, peppercorn, and iron. On the medium-bodied palate, bright acidity accentuates the red- and dark-fruit character, while earthy, peppered spice emerges on subtle tannins that carry through to a long, intriguing finish.

Chinon is beloved within the wine industry but it remains a bit off the radar of the mainstream. By far the richest of the Loire’s regal reds, great Chinons like this 2019 Thélème bring a succulence and depth of flavor that is often reminiscent of Right Bank Bordeaux.

Alain and Pascal Lorieux are fourth-generation vintners who merged their family’s farms in 1993. Since Alain’s retirement ten years ago, Thélème—from 50-year-old vines—has become Pascal’s signature. Grown on prized clay-limestone tuffeau (tufa) soils on the banks of the Vienne River (a Loire tributary), the wine delivers the perfumed aromas, silky tannins, and powerful vibrancy that make Chinon one-of-a-kind. 

Don’t miss this 94-pointer. It’s the kind of wine that sommeliers and industry insiders crave on their days off, and we’re thrilled to share it with you.