90+ 2004 La Noblaie Chinon Les Chiens-Chiens 4/11/07 ($14)
13.5% alc
Color: Deep garnet, particularly for Chinon. Looks young. (3.5) Bouquet: Interesting radish, mint and funky gray clay are prevalent and complement excellent black cherry and raspberry fruit and excellent acidity. (3.5) Body: Solid middleweight with excellent complexity and acidity, and very good fruit. Coats the mouth with some tannin and chalky acidity. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but less fruity with some tart chalky acidity and tannin sticking out a little. (2.5) Finish: Parallels bouquet, but less intense. Still long with interesting terroir lingering. (3.0)
Overall: What an incredible value and from France no less. It has sweet cherry/raspberry fruit combined with an intense radish/gray clay terroir component that is very compelling (and very French). As good as it is, it needs 1-3 years of bottle age or an hour or so of decanting. (15.5)