Domaine Olga Raffault
2019 Chinon AOC Les Picasses
This is a wine that seems indestructible, with countless anecdotes online and in print of enjoying the cuvée at forty or fifty years old and still going strong. Its beguiling perfume of sandalwood, licorice, hazelnut, tobacco, and black pepper does need time to develop, however, and so the domaine holds the wine back several years before release, hence this current arrival hailing from the halcyon before-times of 2019.
Its tightly knit tannins are a French kiss, and its waves of curious minerality and exotic spices keep you in its grips, finishing with oomph, holding you with finely stitched tannins and a flourish of cigar.
Region: Chinon, Loire Valley
Appellation: Chinon AOC
Varietal/Blend: 100% Cabernet Franc
ABV: 13.84%
Vineyard & Vine Age: The grapes are sourced from Les Picasses, a south-facing slope in the Puys du Chinonais, north of Chinon and east of Avoine. The vineyard runs from 65 to 50 metres above sea level and is rooted in classic Chinon geology: Upper Turonian yellow limestone at the top of the slope, calcareous shell-bearing sands (millarges) through the mid-slope, and a narrow band of Middle Turonian white chalk at the base.
Their current vines boast a similar age to those in Les Peuilles and the Raffault family own about half of the total 20ha of this cru, enjoying a reputation for having the benchmark example.
Cellar: The fruit is fermented in stainless steel and kept below 30°C, followed by a long 30-day or more maceration, very similar to Les Peuilles. The wine then ages in large old French oak foudres of 3,000 and 5,000 litre capacity, ageing between 12 and 24 months depending on the vintage.
CSPC: 123301
Region: Chinon, Loire Valley
Appellation: Chinon AOC
This is a wine that seems indestructible, with countless anecdotes online and in print of enjoying the cuvée at forty or fifty years old and still going strong. Its beguiling perfume of sandalwood, licorice, hazelnut, tobacco, and black pepper does need time to develop, however, and so the domaine holds the wine back several years before release, hence this current arrival hailing from the halcyon before-times of 2019.
Its tightly knit tannins are a French kiss, and its waves of curious minerality and exotic spices keep you in its grips, finishing with oomph, holding you with finely stitched tannins and a flourish of cigar.
TECHNICAL INFO
Varietal/Blend: 100% Cabernet Franc
ABV: 13.84%
Vineyard: The grapes are sourced from Les Picasses, a south-facing slope in the Puys du Chinonais, north of Chinon and east of Avoine. The vineyard runs from 65 to 50 metres above sea level and is rooted in classic Chinon geology: Upper Turonian yellow limestone at the top of the slope, calcareous shell-bearing sands (millarges) through the mid-slope, and a narrow band of Middle Turonian white chalk at the base.
Their current vines boast a similar age to those in Les Peuilles and the Raffault family own about half of the total 20ha of this cru, enjoying a reputation for having the benchmark example.
Cellar: The fruit is fermented in stainless steel and kept below 30°C, followed by a long 30-day or more maceration, very similar to Les Peuilles. The wine then ages in large old French oak foudres of 3,000 and 5,000 litre capacity, ageing between 12 and 24 months depending on the vintage.
CSPC: 123301
Giovanni Autuori
Calgary + Alberta South
T: 403-971-1898
E: giovanni@vinoalvino.ca
Joe Gurba
Edmonton + Alberta North
T: 780-203-5284
E: joeg@vinoalvino.ca