2023 Pierre Sourdais Chinon 'Les Rosiers'

100% certified organic Cabernet Franc from the Sourdais’s 18 acres of vines in the valley bordering the Vienne River, near the village of Cravant.  Hand harvested, hand sorted, and fermented with native yeasts in cement. Aged for six months in a combination of cement and tank and bottled with very low sulphur. 12.5% alcohol. This is classic, old school Loire Valley Cab Franc, with cherry, dark fruits, pencil shavings, black olives and a hint of barnyardy funk alongside Franc’s distinctive peppery spicy kick. Light to medium bodied, with smooth tannins and fairly mellow acidity, this is a wine to drink with food.  It’s young, so give it some air to drink now. Third generation winemaker Pierre Sourdais started his namesake domaine in 1981. The Sourdais family is well known in Chinon: Pierre has brothers, sisters and cousins who are involved with the region’s wine trade.