2017 François Blanchard La Presse
WINEMAKER: François Blanchard
REGION: Loire Valley, FR
VARIETY: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
VITICULTURE: Organic
"Monumental wine! This is cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon from François Blanchard’s legendary old vineyard Le Grande Clere which is in a remote part of Touraine in the Loire Valley, about an hour south of Tours. This is the most kinetic and biodiverse vineyard we’ve ever set foot in…the style of farming isn’t far from permaculture and this 2017 wine is a truly thrilling example of terroir. It’s dark and compact but fresh and layered - a real monument to good farming. Each year only 120 bottles of this wine come to Australia. Unmissable. Serve at about 16C with food (without food is also pretty amazing)." - Campbell Burton
Once a professional jazz musician, now farmer-winemaker-brewer extraordinaire François Blanchard continues to impress. This is his open-fermented farmhouse ale made from cereals grown at his farm. Wild and full of energy.