Couly-Dutheil
Loire, France
Chinon
La Baronnie Madeleine
Cabernet Franc
2002
$27.99
12.5%
Washed out, mostly dried blood red to red clay, closer to orange than any purple shade. The nose is on the volatile side, merde, tar, graphite, cedar and potpourri, not much bell pepper, the currant, cherry fruit possess a roasted quality, what’s there does last a long time. Medium-bodied, sheds what weight it has through to a dilute finish. Damp earth and fallen leaves, olive pits, more tar through to the expected bell pepper crunch. The tannin remains strong and adds a dry, clumpy texture. Here the roasted edge brings spiciness to the red cherry to blackberry fruit, plenty of bite. Probably on the downward slope but just as likely this is what it was supposed to be from the start.
87 points