2005 Domaine de la Butte Bourgueil Mi-pente

Cabernet Franc
 

This wine is from the Bourgueil commune in the Loire Valley region in France. Bourgueil is considered to be an (AOC) Appellation d'origine controlee and the region is mainly known for the Cabernet Franc varietal (called Cabernet Breton by the locals).  The creation of this wine is a project by Jacky Blot, a very well-known and respected winegrower & cellar master in the Loire Valley.  Jacky worked at the cellars of Mouton-Rothschild in Bordeaux and honed his skills in other distinguished estates such as Opus One in Napa California. He acquired Domaine de la Butte in 2002 and inspired the world with some really tasty Cab Franc.  I had the pleasure of having the 2005 Domaine de la Butte Bourgueil Mi-pente. 

On the nose: Red radish with really ripe raspberries (say that three times quickly). Lilac flowers that have just sprung into season.  Morning dew grass. Take a ride up the Merritt Parkway on a Spring dawn when the fog has just lifted and open all the windows up … you are the only one on the road … take it all in. Try to keep it under 80 mph.  Glorious.

Palate: Tart and dry.  Laser focus on this wine. Very funky (almost as funky as George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic).  There are a ton of green vegetables here.  English green peas, the ones that you can smash up with the mashed potatoes.  This can last for 10 years and can amuse the pickiest of oenophiles.  Lots here and complexities are in abundance.

Rating Scale (out of 5 +):

++++

Price:

$28

“We need the funk, We gotta have that funk….”