Domaine de Nerleux, Saumur-Champigny, Les Loups Noirs

Got a little snow this morning so Autumn foods are in! With pan-roasted venison chop with blackberry sauce, baked sweet potato, and braised Brussels sprouts, what better than Cabernet Franc? The 2015 Domaine de Nerleux “Les Loups Noirs” presents itself in the wine fridge. A quick double decant and the nose offers an array of hedge fruit, ramble, telicherry peppercorn, and brambl aromas. The palate is a bit circumspect—more chalk than talk—leaning on a fine-grained tannic structure and whispering tannins. …

Beginning to come around. Dark ruby robe. Hedge fruit, bramble, a bit of spice savory herbs on the nose. Palate still firm and with wild blackberry and red currant fruit flavors, more of those bosky herbs, and a hint of spice. Tannins on the road to resolving with a juicy succulence on the finish. This is showing nascent complexity and is certainly drinkable now, but patience will be rewarded. Hold.

Much as in 2015 but with all the edges softened. Drinking very well.

Bright clear purply color. Interesting herbal nose - tarragon, dill. Red fruit, acidity that softens with air. Tannin on on finish but not overwhelming. Not especially complex, but well put together and good with food (esp walnut salad.). Very classic CF Loire style.

allow me to advertise and repeat the tasting note of Chris Cissack (www.thewinedoctor.com) - completely agree: Domaine de Nerleux Saumur-Champigny Les Loups Noir 2011: This is usually fermented in 50% cuves and 50% wood, then assembled before bottling, although it was 60% futs (mixed new and old oak) and 40% cuves in 2011. The fruit comes from a selected parcel, the vines 50-60 years old. A very confident, lightly glossy and dark hue to this wine. There are more exotic …

Deep ruby. Weakish nose of red fruit that didn't really evolve into much. On the palate medium bodied and very pleasant, with a nice ripe fruity mid palate and a great deep green acidic kick on the back. I buy the jalapeno descriptor… The finish was long and pleasant though a little hot. 14% alcohol. Went great with the stuffed peppers.

lovely cabernet franc expression, elegant medium to full bodied wine. fruity. very good

Dark ruby. Fairly big and sweet nose of ultraripe strawberries and licorice, white and black pepper, red (definitely not green) bell pepper, and whiffs of tobacco and earth. There's a dominant impression of sweetness in the mouth, with buildling, grainy tannin and a ghost-like finish. Complex and attractive, but shows some of the potential for disjointedness seen in the 2003 vintage for Loire reds.