1995 Joël Taluau St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil Vieilles Vignes

Staff Reviews

DO

Dejah Overby

Dejah Overby

This '95 is probably the most "brawny" of the bunch. The nose is of wild strawberry, eucalyptus, alpine thyme and tar. The fruit took a while to show but when it did it was sophisticated. This bottling is one that should be decanted if you plan on drinking now but out of them all this is the one that has the most potential for further long term cellaring.

GW

Gary Westby

Gary Westby

This is a lovely, mature bottle of wine that still has plenty of vivacious refreshment left in it! Cinnamon and I had it last night with French onion soup, and this light bodied, aromatic red was perfect for the bistro fare. The 1995 Joel Taluau is classic St Nicolas De Bourgueil with plenty of green olive and herbs on the nose and great almost carnation-like earthiness in the mouth. The tannin is completely resolved, and the wine finishes fresh!

Notes

Joël Taluau was a fabulous grower in St-Nicolas de Bourgueil known for making some of the purest expressions of Cabernet Franc in the Loire, unmarred by the intrusion of oak. He was also the first producer in the appellation to begin domaine bottling. After Joel passed away, his daughter Veronique now makes wines with the help of her husband, Thierry Foltzenlogel. The Vieilles Vignes, from a single plot of Cabernet Franc planted in 1934, is prized for its power, depth and grace. This flagship wine is meant to age, and the large format bottle will have helped to preserve freshness. Enjoy now!