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2001 Bourgueil “Les Perrières”
Catherine & Pierre BretonIt might sound odd to say, but collectors are the most value-conscious buyers out there. They may buy a lot, but they know that values exist at any price. For those of you with cellars, the Bretons’ Perrières is, hands down, one of the greatest wines being made in the Loire. What is remarkable about the Perrières is that it has such firm structure, fine tannins, and deep concentration of fruit without being overpowering or heavy. It does not blast your palate with its omnipresence. The Perrières is refined and delicate, but reserved when young—five to ten years from now it will blossom. Whether you have a small wine fridge or an underground stone cellar: if you collect, here’s more for your money.
—Clark Z. Terry
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2001 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Cabernet Franc |
Appellation: | Bourgueil |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Catherine & Pierre Breton |
Winemaker: | Catherine & Pierre Breton |
Vineyard: | 40 years, 1 ha |
Soil: | Silicieous Clay, Limestone |
Aging: | The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered after two full years in wood |
Farming: | Biodynamic (certified) |
Production: | 6,700 cases |
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Fresh and punchy Cabernet Franc from fun-loving Catherine and Pierre Breton. Light, juicy, and ready to go. Drink young, drink chilled, drink plenty.
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There isn’t a spot in the world better suited for Cabernet Franc, and their old vines produce the raw material for one of the best reds in the Loire valley.
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About The Producer
Catherine & Pierre Breton
About The Region
Loire
The defining feature of the Loire Valley, not surprisingly, is the Loire River. As the longest river in France, spanning more than 600 miles, this river connects seemingly disparate wine regions. Why else would Sancerre, with its Kimmeridgian limestone terroir be connected to Muscadet, an appellation that is 250 miles away?
Secondary in relevance to the historical, climatic, environmental, and cultural importance of the river are the wines and châteaux of the Jardin de la France. The kings and nobility of France built many hundreds of châteaux in the Loire but wine preceded the arrival of the noblesse and has since out-lived them as well.
Diversity abounds in the Loire. The aforementioned Kimmderidgian limestone of Sancerre is also found in Chablis. Chinon, Bourgueil, and Saumur boast the presence of tuffeau, a type of limestone unique to the Loire that has a yellowish tinge and a chalky texture. Savennières has schist, while Muscadet has volcanic, granite, and serpentinite based soils. In addition to geologic diversity, many, grape varieties are grown there too: Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Melon de Bourgogne are most prevalent, but (to name a few) Pinot Gris, Grolleau, Pinot Noir, Pineau d’Aunis, and Folle Blanche are also planted. These myriad of viticultural influences leads to the high quality production of every type of wine: red, white, rosé, sparkling, and dessert.
Like the Rhône and Provence, some of Kermit’s first imports came from the Loire, most notably the wines of Charles Joguet and Château d’Epiré—two producers who are featured in Kermit’s book Adventures on the Wine Route and with whom we still work today.
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2022 Chinon “Les Granges”
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2021 Chinon “Les Grézeaux”
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2022 Bourgueil Rosé “La Ritournelle”
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2022 Sancerre HALF BOTTLE
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Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
A good doctor prescribed the wine of Nuits-Saint-Georges to the Sun King, Louis XIV, when he suffered an unknown maladie. When the king’s health was restored the tasty remedy enjoyed a vogue at court. Lord, send me a doctor like that!
Inspiring Thirst, page 117