Domaine Couly-Dutheil - Chinon La Baronnie Madeleine rouge 2018

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Arnaud, who has already been in charge for several vintages, is now alone at the helm. The clos-de-l'olive and clos-de-l'écho, the two peaks of the cellar, are wines for laying down that best reflect their terroir, with the former offering depth and the latter power. Don't overlook the "simple" chinon rené-couly, a great moment of immediate pleasure.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the domain :

Couly-Dutheil was founded in 1921 by Baptiste Dutheil, and is now run by Jacques Couly-Dutheil and his son Arnaud. With almost 94 hectares of vineyards, including the prestigious Clos de l'Écho and Clos de l'Olive, a modern cellar built into the rock and impressive 10th-century cellars beneath the Château de Chinon, it is an integral part of the Chinon winegrowing landscape. A benchmark not to be missed.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 2018 Chinon La Baronnie Madeleine is very intense and aromatic with a fruity, floral nose that reveals aromas of perfectly ripe cherry, stewed blackberry and blackcurrant. Bottled at 15% alcohol, this is a very rich, round, intense, almost port-like Cabernet Franc, with massive power and yet fine, not at all drying tannins. It's a charming, almost Languedoc Chinon that's respectable [...] I'm sure many readers will appreciate this generous style, intense in fruit, elegant and somewhat smoky.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

Here's a sure bet, with a very strong Chinon personality! On the nose, aromas of Darjeeling tea, crushed and dried violets, white mushroom, sawdust and black plum. Delicate tannins envelop ripe fruit, which remains full of life until the end of the tasting.

Vinous

About the wine:

Chinon Baronnie Madeleine 2018 is a full-bodied, powerful wine from two sites on Chinon's clay-limestone plateau. This is a warm vintage, so you can expect ripe fruit, succulence and a healthy dose of alcohol (14.5%) to add richness. It retains its red fruit, but there's also a hint of riper black cherry, as well as a peppery note and a hint of greenness. The acidity is surprisingly refreshing given the ripeness of the fruit.