88+ 2005 La Noblaie Chinon Les Chiens-Chiens 8/12/08 ($14)
13.5% alc
Color: Deep garnet, particularly for Chinon. (3.0) Bouquet: Bone dry, jammy blackberries with radish, green pepper and eucalyptus. (3.0) Body: Solid middleweight with excellent acidity and good jammy fruit. Coats somewhat. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but not quite as enticing, yet smooth. (2.5) Finish: Parallels flavor, but tends more towards the dry, jammy fruit with chalky acidity, instead of the distinctive vegetable and herb flavors. (2.5)
Overall: Another fine Chinon from this producer with outstanding quality. The same wonderful vegetal flavors found in the '04 are here in the bouquet with strength, but tone down more in the flavor and finish. The chalky, jammy blackberry fruit has intensity, but needs 2-4 years of bottle age to sweeten. (14.0)