Coteaux du Loir Patapon Domaine Le Briseau

2008 Coteaux du Loir, Patapon, Domaine Le Briseau

Il était une bergère,
Et ron, ron, ron, petit patapon.
Il était une bergère,
Qui gardait ses moutons,
Ron, Ron,
Qui gardait ses moutons.

Doucement - it is a petit Patapon made from Pineau d’Aunis with a dash of Cot. A favourite of Henry Plantaganet in the 13th century it has captured our hearts also. Brilliantly purple, utterly bonny, a distillation of red berry aromas and flavours. The nose is reminiscent of fermented grape juice; it is warm, approachable, deliciously savoury showing as it does a combination of crunchy strawberry, sweet beet and black pepper fruit, backed up by delicate smokiness. The palate is dry and taut with a sweet wild strawberry character, and a little chalky perfume. There is an appealing freshness to it, and a lovely peppery finish. We opened the bottle on Thursday and finished it on Sunday, chilled of course, with a rich crab risotto.