Chinon is situated on the left bank of the Loire river and along the Vienne river, at the heart of the Loire Valley. Chinon produces mostly red wine, based on Cabernet Franc grape variety known as Breton in the region. Chinon produces more than 6 million bottles of wine annually.
100 years ago, wine from Chinon was regarded with the same esteem as Margaux.Though Chinon is popular in France, its charms have been diminished in the United States — and we seem to be fixated on Bordeaux, the Rhone valley and Burgundy.
The Breton is beautiful ruby in color. Lots of violets on the nose. On the palate, lush, tender and silky with black cherry, currant and some pomegranate with a bit of forest floor, nice herbaceousness and minerality. Lots of fruit and very approachable. This would be delicious with lamb, stews, an omelet (preferably served at lunch or dinner), ham or any bistro fare.
This wine is an incredible value priced at under $13. For me, this was one of the best wines for the money in recent memory.
Strongly recommended. The wine is imported by Kermit Lynch.
The 2005 Breton Beaumont was an LA Times pick of the week.
Other wines from Catherine & Pierre Breton:
Catherine & Pierre Breton Bourgueil Les Perrières 2005
Catherine & Pierre Breton Bourgueil Nuits d’Ivresse, 2004
[...] terrific wine and an even better value at $10-12 a bottle. This wine and the Breton Beaumont Chinon might be the best wines I have had for the money this year. The Cheverny Le Petit Chambord from [...]
[...] http://personalwinebuyer.wordpress.com/ [...]
[...] — and soon to be imported by Louis/Dressner Selections. I liked this, but I would opt for a Breton Chinon Beaumont, a wine I enjoy more and is priced at about $10 less a bottle. For a little more money, I would [...]
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