Yes I know it is Tuesday, almost a week after WBW #44, but better late than never right. The reason for my tardiness on this post is due to my procrastination in ordering the WBW Three Pack from Domaine547. It arrived Saturday afternoon (yay for Fedex shipping on Sat.) and we had it for dinner on Sunday night.
This months WBW was sponsored by Gary Vaynerchuk of WLTV fame who provided us with the theme of French Cabernet Franc. The Cabernet Franc Jill at Domaine547 chose for us hails from the Saumur-Champigny appellation of the Loire Valley and was made by the winery, Chateau du Hureau. Coming from vineyards comprised mostly of clay and limestone the 2005 Chateau du Hureau is comprised of 100% Cabernet Franc from vines ranging in age from 7 to 60 years. The 2005 was fermented for 30 days and aged only in stainless steel tanks, where the wine underwent Malolactic Fermentation (MLF). This was my first wine from Saumur-Champigny and I think only the 3rd French Cabernet Franc (100%) that I have had, both the others being from Chinon, so I was very excited to try this one.
My Tasting Notes –
Nose – Red currant, barney/earthiness, smoke
Taste – Cranapple, raspberry, sweet basil, hazelnut, mushrooms
Mouthfeel – Medium body, leathery tannins – very dry
Finish – long and dry with the basil and raspberry flavors hanging on ‘til the end
Megan and I thoroughly enjoyed this wine, as it was a fabulous example of what Cab Franc can do. Very rich in flavor, but not overly extracted like some Cali versions (trying to be Cab Sauv), with a fuller body and not as many vegetal components (some are good) as some of the versions from here in Virginia. Dominated by bright red fruit and nice fresh herbal notes with significant a tannin structure this wine may show best in another year or 2 or 3. Two thumbs up to Jill and the D547 crew on this selection, I can’t wait to try the other 2 in the WBW blogger pack.
Cheers
Anything Wine 
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