Bourgueil Clos Nouveau

Actually, I only wanted to write one sentence here: “No words!” But you know me, I'm a chatterbox – I hope you'll forgive me. All too often – for my liking – this Clos Nouveau is referred to as the new Clos Rougeard. I hope that people who say this simply mean to express that Clos Nouveau is a great wine and that it can be difficult and sometimes expensive to get hold of. Of course, this should also be seen as a compliment, and yes, there are parallels with Clos Rougeard in this respect. But that's where the parallels end. For me, Clos Nouveau has a completely different character to a Champigny, a Poyeux or a Bourg – granted, I've never imported Clos Rougeard and don't know much about these legendary wines, nor do I know the Foucault family very well, but I can still tell the difference between them. So let me give you the facts:

The Gauthiers bought the then somewhat neglected Clos Nouveau in 2005 and took it under their wing. First things first: the vines, right? These were nursed back to health by Rodolphe and Pierre with great dedication and skill, and soon bore fruit that transformed into a magical wine. A dark wine that smells as dark as it looks, which makes it clear to the nose that it has character, that it has personality, and that it will entertain the patient at the highest level. Its spice notes are wonderful, as are its black berry aromas – mixed black berries, elderberry, for example, but also blackberries and even mulberries. The delicate hint of iodine is also wonderful, almost like a Haut-Brion, opening up a new dimension. Magical! The wine moves straight to the center of the palate, very elegant, where it begins to unfold, building pressure and silk-like tannins on the palate – yes, I am talking about a slightly more mature example of this great wine – before the energy is released and the wine begins an almost endless, indescribably juicy, wonderfully mineral finish that is unmatched, not only among Cabernet Francs. indescribably juicy and wonderfully mineral finish that is unparalleled, not only among Cabernet Francs. This is a monumental wine – and I don't mean that the wine is thick, that's just me – that demands patience from all of us, but when enjoyed at the right moment, it delivers heavenly pleasures.