English Speaking Loire Winery Tours originating from Chinon
Let us take you to some of the best vineyards in the area - Chinon, Saumur, Bourgueil - and discover the amazing wines - whites, rosés, reds, and sparkling. Walk the v...
Profile
Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 2019: best 2025 to 2037.
vintage6 yrs18 yrs20 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Wine Advocate reviewed 2020 | 2018 | 91/100 |
| Vinous reviewed 2021 | 2019 | 91/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
Aroma: blackcurrant, violet, wet pebble, fresh tobacco
Palate: cassis, graphite, iron, saline length
Single-vineyard Cabernet Franc from clay-flint soils above the Vienne. Sappy cassis-and-graphite fruit framed by fine-grained tannins, named for the small dog-shaped rocks that flank the parcel.
What it pairs with
- Roast leg of lamb with rosemary Herbal lamb meets the wine's violet-and-tobacco register; tannins frame the meat.More wines for lamb →
- Magret de canard with blackcurrant Cassis on the palate echoes a blackcurrant jus on duck breast.More wines for duck breast →
- Sainte-Maure de Touraine Ash-rolled goat cheese sharpens the wine's saline mineral length.More wines for goat cheese →
- Mushroom and chestnut wellington Earthy fungi mirror the iron and forest-floor depth.More wines for mushrooms and truffles →
History
Jerome Billard returned to the family domaine in 2003 and bottled Les Chiens-Chiens as a single-vineyard cuvee from clay-flint parcels on the plateau. The estate became fully organic by 2013.
- 2003Jerome Billard takes over and bottles Les Chiens-Chiens as a single-vineyard cuvee
- 2013Full organic certification
Facts
- Producer
- Domaine de la Noblaie · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Cabernet Franc (100%)
- Classification
- Chinon AOC
- Oak
- 16 to 18 months in 500L oak demi-muids, around 20 percent new
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 22 to 32 at retail
- Drinking window
- 6 to 18 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2003
- Organic
- ORGANIC CERTIFIED
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Les Chiens-Chiens
What does Les Chiens-Chiens taste like?
Blackcurrant, violet, wet pebble and fresh tobacco on the nose; cassis, graphite, iron and a saline length on the palate. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and high acidity, long finish.
When should I drink Les Chiens-Chiens?
Drink between 6 and 18 years from vintage. Decant 45 to 60 minutes for younger vintages.
What food pairs with Les Chiens-Chiens?
Roast leg of lamb with rosemary is canonical; magret de canard with blackcurrant and Sainte-Maure de Touraine goat cheese also pair well.
Where is Les Chiens-Chiens made?
From a single clay-flint parcel on the plateau above the Vienne in the Chinon AOC, farmed organically at Domaine de la Noblaie.
Tags
Taste it where it is made: tastings near Domaine de la Noblaie
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