Bourgueil (BOOR-goy) is one of the three major appellations for red wines in the Loire Valley where the ancient Cabernet Franc grape is the star. Cab Franc has no known antecedent and many offspring and is therefore thought to be an original, wild grape. It originated from Southwest France, where it plays a supporting role, but in cooler continental climates, such as the middle Loire, the grape shines on its own. More aromatic and less tannic, alcoholic and acidic than its child, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc has benefitted from the recent fashion for lighter red wines and is quite the darling of wine professionals. Don’t think that you can’t have Cab Franc with a steak, however; it's just more versatile and can be paired with lighter dishes as well.
Founded in 1869, the fifth generation of the family, Phillipe Boucard, is in charge of Domaine Lamé Delisle Boucard with the sixth on deck. The family began the process for organic certification in 2018 and achieved it in 2021, so this wine was made from organically grown, old vine (Vieilles Vignes) grapes that were aged in large oak casks that impart very little flavor. The indescribable “Cab Franc spice” is prominent, as are dark cherry, mulberry and cacao. Fine, chalky tannins, moderate acidity and alcohol make this wine a good partner for dark-meat fowl as well as lamb or beef.