2006 Frédéric Mabileau "Les Rouillères" St.-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil

91 points Wine & Spirits: "Fresh, fragrant and pure this shows tautly focused flavors of red cherry and berry saturated with a lovely mineral fragrance. The wine is sleek and streamlined on the palate and the balance is superb, keeping you coming back for more." Frédéric Mabileau is known for his no-nonsense approach in the vineyards, eschewing the chemicals and machines that dominate much of the Loire and focusing his energy on growing the best possible fruit naturally . He says, "the action of respecting the integrity of the grape all the way to the tank allows us to maintain the fruits' clarity, showing its suppleness and delicacy." This wine is 100% organically cultivated Cabernet Franc that was harvested from vines ranging in age from 15- to 35-years-old. The Mabileaus make a very strict selection both in the vineyard and on two successive sorting tables, looking for only the most pure and healthy grapes. For Les Rouillères the grapes are 100% destemmed to accentuate the fruity/floral qualities of this site, it is then aged in stainless steel tanks for 7-9 months to preserve this freshness. I really loved the 2005 Les Rouillères, which was a big hit here at K&L, yet whereas the '05 was big and brawny the '06 is sleek and sexy, it seduces rather than overwhelms, the flavors are more "classic" and bright, full of juicy cherry and berry fruit that really jump from the glass. You will love it, not to mention it is a tremendous value.