A 15th-century château in Chinon, owned by Champagne Gosset from 1951 to 2008 (hence the champagne-style bottle) and now by Christophe Baudry and Jean-Martin Dutour. 35 hectares, all Cabernet Franc, on chalky clay, vines averaging around 50 years old. Long regarded as the benchmark for Chinon.
Pierre Breton took over his grandparents` vines in Bourgueil in 1982 and farms organically; he and Catherine make this single-parcel Cabernet Franc. Decanter gave the 2020 95 points, naming it among the top Loire Cabernet Francs.
GéraA 15th-century château in Chinon, owned by Champagne Gosset from 1951 to 2008 (hence the champagne-style bottle) and now by Christophe Baudry and Jean-Martin Dutour. 35 hectares, all Cabernet Franc, on chalky clay, vines averaging around 50 years old. Long regarded as the benchmark for Chinon.
`Sourced from a single vineyard located at the bottom of Chinon`s slope on alluvial/clay soils, the 2019 Chinon Les Grézeaux is currently a bit shy in terms of revealing its fruit flavors. It’s also a hint reductive with its smoky bacon characters, but that`s unimportant. What matters is the core of fruit and excellent focus. It`s very relaxed and fluid with mouthwatering acidity. The tannins are more serious than the front and midpalate would have suggested and betray a little grittiness. Aged 15 months in cement, this could be opened in one to two years, but the concentration and structure offer drinking over a decade.` 93 Points, Rebecca Gibb, Vinous
One of the most iconic wines in the Loire Valley, from perhaps the greatest terroir in Chinon. Capable of improving over at least twenty years. For now, still available at an unbelievably low tariff given the quality.
Oliver Cousin`s final full vintage, he has now passed everything over to his son Baptiste... 65 year old Cabernet Franc , Black loam infused with deep beds of limestone aged in a large wood tank (500 Liters) for 18 months. no sulphur. A true gardener/ vigneron/ activist / horse whisperer who has stood trial for his farming methods.
Jérôme Bretaudeau spent 13 years as vineyard manager for Alain Gaubert before taking over his father`s two hectares in Gétigné in 2001. Now 15 hectares, organic since 2012 and biodynamic (Biodyvin) since 2020, sold mostly as Vin de France. Statera is 100% Pinot Noir on gabbro with white and pink quartz: destemmed, about 12 days` infusion, native yeasts, 14 months in barrel. Gilles Pudlowski calls him an artiste vigneron.
Jérôme Bretaudeau spent 13 years as vineyard manager for Alain Gaubert before taking over his father`s two hectares in Gétigné in 2001. Now 15 hectares, organic since 2012 and biodynamic (Biodyvin) since 2020, sold mostly as Vin de France. Statera is 100% Pinot Noir on gabbro with white and pink quartz: destemmed, about 12 days` infusion, native yeasts, 14 months in barrel. Gilles Pudlowski calls him an artiste vigneron.
Jérôme Bretaudeau spent 13 years as vineyard manager for Alain Gaubert before taking over his father`s two hectares in Gétigné in 2001. Now 15 hectares, organic since 2012 and biodynamic (Biodyvin) since 2020, sold mostly as Vin de France. Statera is 100% Pinot Noir on gabbro with white and pink quartz: destemmed, about 12 days` infusion, native yeasts, 14 months in barrel. Gilles Pudlowski calls him an artiste vigneron.
Stéphanie Debout and Vincent Bertin, former Paris engineers, settled in Faye-d`Anjou in 2012 and farm about three hectares organically with a horse, adding no sulphur. Punch names them among the Anjou`s most promising names." Achillée is Chenin from 0.77 hectares of 30-year-old vines on a north-tilting rhyolite plateau, basket-pressed and aged 18 months in barrel."
Stéphanie Debout and Vincent Bertin, former Paris engineers, settled in Faye-d`Anjou in 2012 and farm about three hectares organically with a horse, adding no sulphur. Punch names them among the Anjou`s most promising names." Achillée is Chenin from 0.77 hectares of 30-year-old vines on a north-tilting rhyolite plateau, basket-pressed and aged 18 months in barrel."
Stéphanie Debout and Vincent Bertin, former Paris engineers, settled in Faye-d`Anjou in 2012 and farm about three hectares organically with a horse, adding no sulphur. Punch names them among the Anjou`s most promising names." Baliverne is Grolleau Noir from 0.75 hectares of 60-year-old vines on a schist and quartz plateau: whole bunches crushed by foot, 15 days` maceration, 12 months in old barrels, bottled unfined and unfiltered."
The now retired Bruno began converting his vineyards to organic back in 1995, convinced to stop using sulphites by Thierry Puzelat in 2005 with likeminds- Noella Morantin, Paul and Corinne Gillet, Joël Courtault. 40-year-old Cabernet Franc Grapes hand harvested. Élevage for one year in old barrels. Zero sulfites added.
Vin de France Les Rouliers Benoit Courault LR16 (Magnum)
Benoit Courault trained in Beaune and worked with Eric Pfifferling at L`Anglore in Tavel before founding his estate in Faye-d`Anjou in 2006: about 5.5 hectares, mostly schist, biodynamic, worked with horses. Les Rouliers is Cabernet Franc alone, grown on sandstone and made with whole clusters. Punch calls its flavours intensely savory" and credits him with an unusual talent for reds."
