CABERNET FRANC

Question 1

Loire Valley Chinon or Bourgueil

Answer 1

Sight: medium to deep ruby.
Nose: tart red and black fruits (sour cherry, plum, raspberry, and cranberry)
–with a pronounced green tobaccoleaf, herbal character and chalky minerality.
–Warmer vintages yield wines with more black fruit character.
–Oak usage varies from old wood to noticeable new barrique.

Palate:
medium to medium-plus bodied and very dry, sometimes austere in character.

Structure:
alcohol: medium to medium-plus;
acidity: medium-plus to high;
tannins: medium to medium-plus.

ID Keys: similar in weight to many to lighter right Bank Bordeaux wines but with a pronounced leafy green herb (and stemmy) quality and chalky minerality.