Fermented cool, aged in steel tank and bottled without any fining, filtration or other messing around, this Chinon is not overthought or overwrought; instead, its simplicity results in a level of purity and character over which lovers of Cabernet Franc will surely swoon—and at a great value. It’s delicious!! Just the right texture (not heavy or ponderous, but not light and overly lacy either), it’s gravelly, loamy, nicely herbal and thoroughly charming.

Nicolas’ vineyards in Chinon are largely on alluvial soils with some on shallow topsoil above tuffeau limestone bedrock. The alluvial soil helps create a wine with a less brittle acidity and just a bit more palate roundness without sliding into plushness. Thanks to its relatively cooler location, it’s much less ‘sunshiny ripe’ than some Cabernet Franc-based wines from further south in western France.

This is one of the most engaging, accessible reds we’ve seen this year.