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The LaCheteau Chinon 2023 is a $8.99 Trader Joe’s exclusive. If you see Chinon on the label, that means this is a Cabernet Franc wine sourced from vineyards surrounding the town of Chinon in France‘s Loire Valley.
The Story
Vignobles (means vineyards) LaCheteau is the negotiant brand of GCF Group, the leading exporter of French wine. LaCHeteau has dealings with over 450 vineyards and 100 wineries throughout the Loire Valley. For more information on LaCheteau ) you can read French and GCF in English.
The LaCheteau Chinon 2023 is an AOP-designated wine, indicating that this Cabernet Franc met all the French governing standards in the vineyard and production.
It has a very affordable price tag because this is not a wine label from a Loire Valley winery/Domaine. Negociant wines are often excess wines sold to the negotiant for a favorable price. Trader Joe’s is a grocery store/wine shop that sells wine at a favorable price.
Long ago the Cabernet Franc grape was crossed with the Sauvignon Blanc grape creating Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc is the third leading grape used in Bordeaux blends.
In the Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc is the main White grape and Cabernet Franc is the main Red grape.
Cabernet Franc was used in Red blends to add a dark berry flavor and structure and tannins. Modern wines tend to have the tannins reduced. The alcohol content is 12.5%.
The LaCheteau Chinon 2023 Tasting Notes
The color is a see-through raspberry jam red. The nose is sweet red berries, spice, blueberry, and a floral note. The LaCheteau Chinon 2023 is smooth on the palate, with a solid mix of fruit and spice.
This Cabernet Franc tastes like raspberry, a good slap of spice, blackberry, black pepper, a hint of green pepper, soft plum, and rough-edged spice.
The tannins do not bite and the acidity is well-controlled
The Summary
- The LaCheteau Chinon 2023 is a solid introduction to the wines of Chinon.
- It is more of wine to watch serial killer shows on Netflix than a fine dining wine.
- This Chinon has good flavor and is well-made.
