Loire Valley Cabernet Franc, Sixteen wines, Nine appellations
I was recently in the Loire Valley and had the pleasure of teaching a masterclass on Loire Valley Cabernet Franc for a number of international journalists as part of the Wines of the Loire Valley's annual international press trip "Loire Millésime."
The masterclass featured 16 Cabernet Francs from across all the major appellations in the Loire, and the theme was the terroirs of the appellation - something that I am extremely passionate (obsessive!) about. In this video, I thought I would share each of the wines that were part of the class and a brief commentary on each. Several of these wines were new domaines to me or new cuvées that I had not yet tasted, so it was a thrill to be introduced to these estates.
The wines of the masterclass are noted below. Many thanks to all the winemakers who helped with technical information about their terroirs and approach to winemaking to enrich this presentation. And thank you to the Saumur-Champigny AOC who invited me to lead this presentation.
Domaine de la Roche-Honneur, 2023 Chinon "Cuvée Pâques"
Domaine de Doulaye, 2020 Chinon
Domaine du Petit Bondieu, 2023 Bourgueil "Celeste"
Domaine Nau, 2020 Bourgueil "Brunetières"
Clos des Quarterons (Xavier et Agnès Amirault), 2023 St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil "Les Quarterons"
Domaine de la Cotelleraie, 2020 St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil "L'Envolée"
Le Petit Saint Vincent (Dominique Joseph), 2022 Saumur-Champigny "Pélo"
Clos des Cordeliers, 2020 Saumur-Champigny "Cuvée Préstige"
Domaine de la Renière, 2023 Saumur Rouge "La Renière"
Domaine de l'Enchantoir, 2022 Saumur Rouge "L'Ilôt des Biches"
Isabelle Suire, 2020 Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame
Manoir de la Tête Rouge, 2020 Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame "Tête de Lard"
Domaine Bois Mozé, 2023 Anjou Rouge "Les Terres Rouges"
Domaine le Fief Noir, 2023 Anjou Rouge "Somnambule"
Domaine Sauveroy, 2023 Anjou Villages "Victoire"
Domaine de Bablut, 2020 Anjou Brissac "Petra Alba"
