WINE TASTING NOTE: 2018 Domaine Dozon Clos du Saut au Loup Chinon
Would you like to have tasting notes for your own personal tasting of this wine, either to develop your own palate or share information with friends at a dinner party? If so, click below!
Located in the Chinon appellation of the Loire Valley, just a little ways away (about a 45 min drive) from the city of Tours, Domaine Dozon is one to watch. The owner and winemaker, a native of Chinon, bought the estate in 2013 after many successful years of working in the promotion of French food, most notably in the Middle East.
With a passion for fine and minimal intervention wine making, Eric Santier is committed to bringing the best of his terroir to bear on his wines and it certainly shows in this particular example.
The 2018 Domaine Dozon Clos du Saut au Loup Chinon is made from 100% Cabernet Franc, utilising fruit that is from the lieux-dit of Saut au Loup. This south-east facing parcel of land is said to be one of the finest of the estate’s holdings and is composed of 40-60 year old vines that are growing on hillsides that are rich with clay and silt soils.
Interesting fact - “Saut du Loup” means “wolf jump”. This land is so named after the fact that it used to be a place that wolves would come to, from the surrounding forest, to drink water. Evidence of this apparently still exists on the outer limits of the estate!
As noted above, this wine is made with minimal intervention and utilizing native yeasts. The wine is aged in large oak vats for 6-9 months in order to preserve freshness.
My Tasting Notes
A gorgeous rich and dark maroon in the glass, this wine has an amazingly inviting nose that is full of red fruit, herbal and forest floor aromas. On the palate, the finish is rich, spicy, long and infinitely pleasing, with notes of red and black berries, red capsicum, and just the tiniest hint of vanilla which lifts the overall impact. The overall structure of the wine is fine, delicate and balanced with great integration of acidity, tannins and fruit.
What a lovely wine from a fantastic vintage at a very reasonable price point - I highly recommend it! Given the intensity of the fruit and the overall structure of the wine, you should be able to cellar this for 3-5 years easily….though I say why bother? It tastes amazing now!
Wine it up a notch by pairing this wine with pizza with spicy sausage and grilled rapini, fish fry, charcuterie or pasta in a red pepper sauce.
Cheers, Friends!
