WTN: 2005 Clos Roche Blanche Cuvée Gamay Touraine

[Bill Buitenhuys]

2005 Clos Roche Blanche Cuvée Gamay Touraine
$13 Imp: Dressner. 12% abv. Synth cork.
Chilled to slightly below cellar temp. This wine is extremely refreshing and quite well balanced. Raspberry and minerals with a chalky/limestone finish that I haven’t found in gamay from Beaujolais. Not too sweet, not too tart, crystal clear fruit, decent acidity, and chalky tannins with enough presence to match well with a grilled pork chop coated with ancho chili-based dry rub. I’ll be buying more of this.

(Edit: Vintage was 2005, not 2004)

[David M. Bueker]

Sounds delish. If you get more get me 3. I think I know when I can get them from you.

Any idea how many different CRB wines are produced? I've seen what seems like tons of them, though I know it cannot be more than 5 or 6.

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

Nice one Bill. Have been looking for some Gamay Touraine!! At the moment, well into the `91 Ch de la Gardine Chateauneuf. Back from the Red Earth rodeo!!

[Bill Buitenhuys]

I'm sure I'll be heading back to the local Dressner outlet prior to our trek south and I'll grab you 3.
Hmm, I've seen the cab (sauvignon and franc blend, I think) and sauvignon blanc. I think there is also a cot too. You're right, from all the notes on CRB there has to be more variety than these.

[Bill Buitenhuys]

Did you bring all the rodeo girls back with you again, Bob?

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

Nope, they are still partying up there. Had to come back and host a birthday party for a 85 year young lady who sells me the odd horse or two!!

[Bruce K]

There's also the Pif, a cot-cab franc blend, I believe, and l'Arpent rouge, a Pineau d'Aunis, not to mention their Sauvignon Blanc. I'm pretty sure there are others as well.

Raspberry and minerals with a chalky/limestone finish that I haven’t found in gamay from Beaujolais.

You've put the finger on exactly what I love about Touraine gamays -- the minerality, especially on the finish, that goes far beyond what I usually find in Beaujolais. Plus, they're cheaper.