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94 Pt. Pascal et Alain Lorieux Chinon 'Thélème' 2018

$60.00

Comparable Price

$19.99
Our Price
Following the Loire river on a map, you encounter a cluster of the most compelling Cabernet Franc terroir on the planet. The perfect entry point for this region is Pascal and Alain Lorieux's 2018 'Theleme' Chinon. Stainless steel aging retains the full character of the variety's northern incarnation. Wild strawberries and forest floor aromas beckon while a latticework of fine tannins ferry umami tastes across the palate. The 67% discount opens the door to understanding why this region has such a devoted following.

Member Rating: 91

Tech Notes Wine Details Wine Enthusiast
Unit Size750.00 ML
VarietalCabernet Franc
Vintage2018
GrapeCabernet Franc
CountryFrance
AppellationChinon
RegionLoire Valley
Alcohol Content14.50%
By Pascal et Alain Lorieux
Theleme Chinon

Tasting Notes
Alain Lorieux's Chinon Theleme is a terroir-driven wine with a nose full of dark fruits, earthy notes such as tobacco and leather supported by a palate full of incredible structure and firm tannins.

Vintage
2018 in the Loire Valley could not have been any better. The spring weather was beyond favorable as the summer came with heavy rains and high temperatures. By the end of August, the conditions personified excellence and were able to carry through to October's harvest.

Vineyard
The domaine is located in St. Nicolas de Bourgueil and Cravant on either side of the Loire. These Cabernet France vines come from hillside vineyards that overlook the Chinon valley. These vines dig their roots into shallow chalky clay-limestone soils derived from a chalky bedrock known locally as tuffeau. These strong soils produce an equally powerful wine with fine silky tannins representing the terroir.

Wine Details
Origin: Loire Valley
Appellation: Chinon
Soil: Clay-limestone
Grapes: 100% Cabernet Franc
Farming: Hand-sorted and destemmed
Winemaking: Maceration for 5 to 6 weeks with daily pump-overs during fermentation
Aging: Stainless steel tank for 8 to 12 months
Alcohol: 14.50%
[Information provided by Serge Dore Selections]
Pascal et Alain Lorieux 2018 Theleme (Chinon)
Rating: 94
Designation: Theleme
Variety: Cabernet Franc
Appellation: Chinon, Loire Valley, France
Winery: Pascal et Alain Lorieux
Bottle Size: 750.00 ml
Category: Red
Importer: Serge Dore Selections
Date Published: 9/1/2020
Rich with black fruits, this smoothly textured wine has a smoky character [...]. Still young and with tannins still present, it is just beginning to show its full richness. It will be best from 2022.