Hailing Cabs from Breton
CATHERINE & PIERRE BRÉTON Bourgueil Les Perrières 2006 Score: 91 | $34
Shows a toasty edge, but this is fresh and driven. A graphite underpinning helps the macerated currant and fig fruit to mingle with the sweet tapenade and black tea notes. From 70-year-old vines; aged in 50 percent new 550-liter demi-muids. Drink now through 2011. 30 cases imported. —J.M.
CATHERINE & PIERRE BRÉTON Bourgueil La Dilettante 2008 Score: 89 | $22
Juicy and open, with nice ripe plum and black currant fruit flavors backed by a tangy pepper note and a bright, minerally finish that’s lively and spicy. Should age nicely in the short term. Carbonic maceration and whole cluster. Drink now through 2011. 80 cases imported. —J.M.
CATHERINE & PIERRE BRÉTON Chinon Beaumont 2007 Score: 89 | $20
A fresh, racy style, with a bright, chalky spine holding the red cherry and red currant fruit together. The long, minerally finish has nice cut. From 50-year-old vines. Drink now through 2011. 1,000 cases made. —J.M.
CATHERINE & PIERRE BRÉTON Bourgueil Trinch! 2008 Score: 88 | $18
Focused and pure, with a snappy beam of tobacco running through the dark cherry and damson plum fruit flavors. Offers lingering spice and olive hints on the finish. Rock-solid. Sourced from young vines; fermented in stainless steel. Drink now through 2011. 100 cases imported. —J.M.