2001 Olga Raffault, Chinon, Les Picasses, Loire Valley, France.
Another super old school, old world offering from Raffault, the 2001 is fresh, lively, earthy and succulent with red currants, violets, chalky minerals, truffle, leather and a hint of horse. This is a fine example of vintage terroir from the Loire, it shows pure Cabernet Franc in total transparency and with naked clarity, it is not a flattering or glamorous wine, but an earthy kind of beauty with an outdoorsy and tomboy attitude, and highly enjoyable. The color is richly dark with a garnet hue with a purply core, youthful still and vibrant on the palate with black cherry, plum, the currant note, game, a touch of barnyard, a hint of bell pepper, cedary wood and lavender/tea spices. After having the 2006 and even the 1989, I can say these Olga Raffault Chinon’s are growing on me, these are impressive and interesting wines that are wonderfully true in nature and very reasonably priced, Dressner imports these and is offering many vintages, I would recommend them to Loire and Cab Franc fans, hard to find as perfect of a textbook example of place and varietal as these, especially this classic 2001 Olga Raffault Les Picasses Chinon is full of character, charm and soul, drink from 2015 to 2018.
($30 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
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