Château Coulaine’s 2010 Clos de Turpenay from Chinon is a classic red Loire wine, embodying the finesse and savoury depth for which this famed appellation is known. While Cabernet Franc is typically the grape of choice for Chinon, particularly for single-parcel cuvées such as Clos de Turpenay, the precise blend for this bottle is not specified. That said, one can expect a wine distinguished by its aromatic purity and a structure that balances lively acidity with refined tannins. The organic certification suggests careful attention to vineyard health and a vinification style leaning towards transparency and minimal intervention, allowing the unique characteristics of the terroir and the vintage to shine through. The 2010 vintage, noted in the Loire for its balance and elegance, likely imparts this wine with both freshness and the beginnings of mature, tertiary notes such as forest floor, tobacco leaf, and earthy spice that beautifully complement juicy red and black fruit.
The Chinon appellation, set within the larger Touraine region of the Loire Valley, is renowned for its tapestry of soils—ranging from sandy gravel near the river to clay and limestone tuffeau on the slopes. This diversity contributes great nuance to the wines. Chinon’s moderate maritime climate, tempered by the Loire and Vienne rivers, supports a long growing season that promotes slow ripening and complex flavour development, a crucial factor in the region’s reputation dating back to medieval times when it supplied the courts of European royalty.
For food pairings, the poise and savouriness of a mature Chinon rouge such as this find natural partners in dishes highlighting earthiness and umami. Grilled lamb cutlets with rosemary, duck breast in red wine reduction, or a simple roasted chicken with wild mushrooms would be excellent choices. For a regional twist, try it with rillettes de Tours or a classic goat’s cheese like Sainte-Maure de Touraine—the wines’ acidity and herbal notes make for a compelling match.
Serve at 16-18°C after allowing it to breathe for an hour. This will showcase its complexity, elegance, and the subtle evolution brought by over a decade in bottle.
