Catherine et Pierre Breton Bourgueil Trinch, Loire, 2023 France Raats Family Wines building to a finish of

building to a finish of cocoa nib nuances and fresh garrigue notes

Medium- to full-bodied with polished tannins and creamy texture

As is typical of Champoux Vineyard

the oak frames the fruit well and also plays with the rich cocoa and cedar nuances

fleshy pear and straw

Catherine et Pierre Breton Bourgueil Trinch, Loire, 2023 France Raats Family Wines building to a finish ofTrinch!, a punchy, bistro style Bourgueil thats both structured and glouglou, may be the most quintessential Breton cuve of the lot. Young vine Cabernet Franc, full of energetic vigor, is gently de stemmed and cold macerated in stainless steel to ensure maximal fruit expression. When served chilled, this bottling smells like a gravel road after a summer rain, firm and fresh, and leaves me craving a cold slab of terrine or gamey pate.