2015 Domaine de la Chevalerie Bretêche

WINEMAKER: Laurie, Emmanuel & Stéphanie Caslot
REGION: Loire Valley, FR
VARIETY: Cabernet Franc
VITICULTURE: Certified Organic/Biodynamic

Bretêche (they are the only one claiming this vineyard name) is the easternmost vineyard, a rented plot on the border of Ingrandes-de-Touraine. On the southwestern exposed upper part of the mid-slope, the vines are planted on a meter-deep heavier clay with high mica content above the Turonian yellow tuffeau. The wines are between 25 to 55 years old. More powerful than Busardières with broader tannins, the wine maintains a great freshness. The structure is more angular and in its youth benefits from decanting. Of course, it ages beautifully well for up to 20 years or more. Bretêche is a reference to an arrowslit (a narrow vertical aperture in a fortification through which an archer can launch arrows.)

"This little-known domaine makes some of the best Cabernet Franc wines in the world." – Rajat Parr & Jordan Mackay, The Sommelier’s Atlas of Taste (2018)

Domaine de la Chevalerie is a leading name in the Bourgueil appellation. The property lies in the commune of Restigné, directly beside Bourgueil, and has been owned by the Caslot family for 14 generations. It is currently run by Laurie and Emmanuel who took over the reins from their father Pierre. The 38 hectares of vineyard are certified organic and biodynamic. Winemaking is as low intervention and natural as possible, using indigenous yeasts during the gentle fermentation process, and keeping sulphites to a minimum. The wines are clean, deep, and very drinkable and cover the full spectrum from fruity, easy-drinking wines through to more complex and structured fine wines with good ageing potential.