Chanteleuserie St. Nicolas de Bourgueil “Irene” 2022

Alcohol: 14,2%

Grape(s): Cabernet Franc

Localization: Bourgueil, Touraine, Loire Valley, France

Tasting notes: Expect vibrant notes of red fruits like cherries and raspberries, with subtle earthy undertones. Smooth and well-balanced, with a light body and refreshing acidity. It’s a wine that’s easy to drink and pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes.

Food pairing: It complements grilled meats, charcuterie, roasted vegetables, and even lighter fare like quiches or grilled fish.

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.