Chateau de Chaintres Saumur-Champigny 2002

Chateau de Chaintres Saumur-Champigny 2002: A very fine but significant sediment of tartrate crystals with this deeply coloured wine. Lots of character on the nose, first cherry fruit, then violets and little notes of sweet blackberries and even a hint of buttery biscuit. Lovely, restrained, stony-minerally texture on the palate, detached and reserved, with the dryness of a cherry stone but all the flavour of the fruit. A very dry, sappy finish, showing a little flurry of ripe tannins that mirrors the thin seam running through the midpalate. I'm sure this would age nicely over 3-4 years. Very good indeed. 17/20 (19/6/06)