Jean-Maurice Raffault Chinon Clos d'Isore 2005

BN#247002

Chinon's vineyards spread over the banks of the Vienne river, divided up into 19 districts over an area of 2400 hectares. It benefits of a micro-climate that is particularly favorable and of a soil's assortment that allows to produce a great diversity of growth with the variety "Cabernet Franc". The 55 hectares of the Estate are spread over 7 districts with the Controlled Appellation Chinon. For this reason, each "cuvée" corresponds to a particular soil. Each single walled vineyard or "cru" is traditionally converted into wine using maceration from 15 up to 28 days, the alcoholic fermentation being carried out by natural yeast. The maturing in oak tanks from6 to 18 months is one of the participant in giving the wine its flavor, protected from light and vibrations During that period of time, several rackings are carried out (done in an ancient way, from barrel to barrel) and participate to the clarifying of the wine before a traditional egg white fining.

Wine Spectator A textbook Chinon, with a long palate of black cherry, tobacco and olive paste driven by underlying notes of chalk, iron and briar. This is still a touch tight on the finish, so cellar for maximum effect. Best from 2008 through 2011. Score: 92. —James Molesworth, November 30, 2007.

Wine Advocate From a chalk-clay site adjacent to his Les Picasse and quite far back from the Vienne, and aged one year in new-ish barriques, Raffault’s 2005 Chinon Clos d’Isore offers a complex aromatic medley of black cherry, purple plum, herbs, and buddleia, with diverse mineral intimations. Rich and caressing on the palate, it displays flavors of black cherry, blueberry, plum and rare roast beef tinged with iodine and cherry pit, and underlain with chalk and wet stones. While this formidably concentrated wine has underlying structure to support 5-7 years of aging, its tannins in no way diminish the abundant pleasures to be had from it today. Score: 90. —David Schildknecht, December 2007.

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