Wine of the Week: Chinon

Domaine Wilfrid Rousse, Chinon

Cabernet Franc is one of my favorite red varieties. It makes delicious earthy and fruity reds and rosés. Cabernet Franc finds its roots in France. It is widely grown in Bordeaux and used in blends with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. You can also find Cabernet Franc grown in the Chinon AOC in Loire Valley. When finding labels with Chinon, you can expect them to be single varietal Cabernet Franc. 

This week’s wine is Domaine Wilfrid Rousse, Chinon. A 100% Cabernet Franc wine from an organically grown vineyard located in Savigny en Véron, France. The vineyard soil is a mixture of sand and gravel which you can pick up on the palate with the notes of minerality. This wine is a beautiful deep ruby red. The aromas include red and black fruits. It is medium-bodied and dry, with a high level of acidity and medium alcohol. You feel the medium tannins hit your tongue and gums. The flavors include lots of minerality and earthy notes of crushed gravel, forest floor, cedar. Pomegranate and black cherry flavors peak out behind the strong earthiness. With its medium finish, balance, and medium complexity, it is a good wine to enjoy with a delicious burger.