Let the Enjoyment Commence
by Dustin Soiseth
2023 Bourgueil “Trinch!”
France | Loire
We had some family friends over the other night for dinner, and while we waited for the grill to warm up, I brought out a few bottles to sample. We went through the lineup one by one, sharing our thoughts, but when we got to the Trinch! we all found it too delicious to put down. The “tasting” portion of the evening abruptly ended and the enjoyment period commenced and before long, the bottle of Trinch! was empty.
2021 Chinon “Les Petites Roches”
France | Loire
Here’s an appetizing red for the “one glass a night” set.
Night One: floral aromatics and tart red fruit—perfect with an oozy croque monsieur.
Night Two: distinctly rounder and with more body. The fruit is earthier—steak frites?
Night Three: soft and supple. Is that a mocha note? No accompaniment needed.
2021 Chinon “La Croix Boissée”
France | Loire
Despite it being a challenging growing season, I’ve heard more than one vigneron from Chinon express a particular fondness for their 2021s, and when you taste an exceptional one like Baudry’s La Croix Boissée, it’s easy to see why. The nose takes a minute to open up, but when it does, the wine unfurls with plush, dark fruit and high-toned blood orange notes, autumnal woodsiness, and sleek tannins. It’s a classic Cabernet Franc with verve and a sense of place, built for the cellar. Vintages like 2021 serve as monuments to the wines that have defined Chinon for generations, like time capsules, giving pleasure to vignerons and wine drinkers alike.