Chanteleuserie Bourgeuil “Alouettes” 2022

Alcohol: 14,2%

Grape(s): Cabernet Franc

Localization: Bourgueil, Touraine, Loire Valley, France

Tasting notes: You can expect a little extra brawn and woodsy fruits like cassis and plum. It saw fermentation and aging in stainless steel to preserve maximum aromas of fresh fruit, and the aromatics are not lacking: wild berries jump out of the glass invitingly, while a peppery note adds an earthy twist. The gentle finish makes a chilled glass oh-so gulpable alongside picnic fare, lunch, or a BBQ.

The Domain: Just outside of the village of Benais, in the heart of the Touraine, sits lovely Domaine de la Chanteleuserie. This “place where the larks sing,” as the name means, is perched on a limestone plateau in an idyllic landscape. Moise Boucard, a vigneron whom Kermit discovered in 1976, has not only given his good sense of humor and modesty to his son, Thierry but his winemaking skills, too. This is the land of Cabernet Franc, and Thierry makes pure varietal wines. Bourgueil is among the most age-worthy of the Loire Valley’s reds, and Chanteleuserie’s are no exception: their 1976 still drinks well today! These structured wines also have a suppleness and generosity of fruit that set them apart from most wines produced in the area today.

On the north bank of the Loire Valley in the western end of the greater Touraine region, Bourgueil makes a sturdy and aromatic Cabernet Franc.