Domaine de la Noblaie Les Chiens-Chiens Chinon 2004 Tasting Notes

I do not give numerical scores, but despite what I just wrote, there is a numerical factor to the entire Loire region: it is not many kilometers from Paris, which means knowing Parisians—individuals and restaurateurs—go out every weekend and scoop up these wines, all for themselves. When (and if) the wines get to us on the other side of the Atlantic, they are better values than many other French wines—Bordeaux and Burgundies—that get much better press. That includes the many whites; the Loire region, a large one, presents fabulous variety, red and white, dry and sweet. As any economist will tell you, provided the economist is a wine lover, supply—the cost of producing—is only half the price equation; the other part is—duh—demand, and the result with Loire wines is almost invariably a value. This particular wine is $14.

But on to the lovely purple Cabernet Franc. Straightforward plum, cherry, strawberry and red currant are carried forward to quite respectable lengths. The acidity is in balance with the tannins and all the fruit, but while it keeps its place it also shows remarkable stamina. There is a vegetative element, with grass and bell pepper, but the kind that belongs rather than the kind that indicates under-ripe fruit. Behind all else, the result of a year’s aging in two to three year old barrels, you get whiffs of cocoa and vanilla, a nice taste of leather, not too much, and yet a perfect complement to this offering that is smooth indeed. I expect this wine to cost more in the future, and why not let these people put some cash aside, once demand catches up with supply.