12.5% abv, Armand et Jacques Couly Dutheil, Chinon, imported by Fass Selections, Irvine, CA. Cork closure: natural. Biodynamic calendar: flower day.
Winemaking notes: 100% Cabernet Franc from 4ha 80-year-old vines in an enclosed south-facing vineyard grown on chalky limestone and clay soils along the Vienne River near Cravant-les-Coteaux. The grapes are de-stemmed and the wine was femented on the skins for 30 days with native yeast and aged in stainless steel tank for 10 months before being bottled unfiltered.
Tasting note: the Chinon is medium garnet in color with a clean nose of medium+ intensity with aromas of carnation, violet, red currant, raspberry liqueur, tobacco, sous bois, toasted chestnut, fennel, and black tea. On the palate this wine is dry with medium acid, medium tannin, medium alcohol, medium+ body, medium+ flavor intensity and a medium+ finish with flavors of primrose, red currant, cranberry, dried strawberry, black tea, rosehip tea, tobacco, tapenade, dried sage and anise. Drink now through 2028, this Cabernet Franc from the Touraine region of Loire valley is very good: 9.4/10.