France — wine
Bourgueil
Across the Loire from Chinon. Cabernet Franc on tuffeau — lighter, more immediately aromatic than Chinon. Can be served slightly cool (14°C). Domaine Yannick Amirault is the benchmark. Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil to the west has lighter, sandier soils producing the most approachable Loire reds.
Vintage assessments
| Year | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | Outstanding Loire vintage; Bourgueil Cab Franc of exceptional violet freshness and graphite mineral character |
| 2022 | 86 | Good warm vintage. Richer Bourgueil with dark cherry and tobacco. Less typical but enjoyable earlier. |
| 2021 | — | Classic Loire character; elegant, precise Cab Franc with fine mineral tuffeau expression |
| 2020 | — | Good concentration with characteristic Loire freshness; excellent plateau tuffeau site expression |
| 2019 | 89 | Excellent Bourgueil. Cabernet Franc on tuffeau and gravels delivering classic Loire red — raspberry, graphite, fresh herbs. Pierre-Jacques Druet landmark. |
| 2018 | — | Classic year; mineral, structured Bourgueil from tuffeau sites. |