The villages of Bourgueil and neighboring St.-Nicolas de Bourgueil lay just west of Tours almost in the center of the Loire Valley. Here the grape for the red wines is Cabernet Franc grown on limestone vineyards some two kilometers north of the Loire River. At their best, the wines produced in these appellations give, if not the literal structure of Bordeaux, much of the charm, but their own individual character. And 100 years ago, were considered much the equal of Bordeaux. But times and fashions change. However, the quality of Yannick Amirault’s wines speaks for itself. Great quality, very flavorful and attractive wines.

In the last ten years, the wines of this Yannick Amirault’s Pavillon du Grand Clos, have appeared as the most complex and the most consistent of the appellations Bourgueil and St. Nicholas de Bourgueil. The wines of the domaine are characterized by body, cleaness, charm and in a great vintage, by aristocracy…. Amirault’s wines have a maturity of tannins that is rare. When the vintage accentuates this search for maturity, certain cuvées swing towards opulence, but still serve as a reference for the finesse des matieres. – Le Classement, Revue du Vin de France

Join us on Saturday, September 18th from 12PM – 4PM for what promises to be an excellent tasting. Like all of our Saturday, In-Store Tastings, this event is free and all are welcome (must be 21 years of age to sample wines). The Lineup:

Yannick Amirault Bourgueil “La Coudraye” 2008, Regular Price $20.99,  Sale Price $17.84 – Bourgueil, Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 13% abv – Organic - Solid, with dark currant and briar notes backed by flint and iron hints and a lingering maduro tobacco note on the gutsy finish. Drink now through 2011. – Rated 89 Points, Wine Spectator

Yannick Amirault St.-Nicolas de Bourgueil “La Mine” 2008, Regular Price $25.99, Sale Price $22.99 – St.-Nicolas de Bourgueil, Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 12.5% abv – Organic - Fresh and racy, with alluring black tea and olive notes weaving through the core of black cherry and plum fruit. The polished finish lets a tobacco edge linger nicely. Drink now through 2011. – Rated 90 Points, Wine Spectator

Yannick Amirault Bourgueil “Le Grand Clos” 2007, Regular Price $27.99,  Sale Price $23.79 – Bourgueil, Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 12.5% abv – Organic - Still fresh, despite the mature hints of tea and cedar around the edges. A lively core of mulled red and black cherry fruit is backed by tobacco and olive hints, with a lovely, perfume- and mineral-filled finish. Drink now. – Rated 90 Points, Wine Spectator

Deep, bright red. Vibrant aromas of black cherry, cassis, licorice and smoky minerals. At once dense and juicy, with a medicinal reserve and building minerality giving a serious mien to the sweet dark fruit flavors. Graceful and precise but has solid structure for the vintage. Finishes with silky tannins and very good spicy length. – Rated 90 Points, International Wine Cellar

Yannick Amirault Bourgueil “La Petite Cave” 2007, Regular Price $35.99,  Sale Price $30.59 – Bourgueil, Loire, Franc – 100% Cabernet France – 12.5% abv – Organic - This racy red is a chalky spine driving the black cherry and black currant fruit, all backed by liberal tobacco and bittersweet cocoa notes. Grippy but fresh on the lengthy finish. Rock-solid. Drink now through 2012. – Rated 91 Points, Wine Spectator

Yannick Amirault St.-Nicolas de Bourgueil “Les Malgagnes” 2008, Regular Price $31.99,  Sale Price $27.19 – St.-Nicolas de Bourgueil, Loire, France – 100% Cabernet Franc – 13% abv – Organic - Lively, with open-knit blackberry, blueberry and cherry fruit, laced with sweet tapenade and spice notes. A bouncy edge on the finish lets the gorgeous, pure fruit play out without losing focus, while a tobacco edge chimes in for added depth. Drink now through 2012. – Rated 91 Points, Wine Spectator