Domaine de Pallus, Chinon Rouge, Cabernet Franc, Cravant-les-Côteaux, Touraine, Loire, 2023

Producer Profile

We first met Bertrand Sourdais when he was the winemaker for Dominio de Atauta, one of the finest wineries in Ribera Del Duero.

Now at the helm of this family-run 18 hectares domaine in Chinon, Bertrand is already changing and improving the vineyard management and has brought new techniques to the cellar. As a result, he is expressing the true potential of Domaine de Pallus: silky, deep rich Cabernet Francs without any of the green vegetal character so often showing in the lesser wines from this region.

Viticulture

Domaine de Pallus Cabernet Franc is produced from vineyards composed of young vines planted at a density of 8,000 vines per hectare. The vines are propagated through massal selection, sourcing material both from the domaine itself and from esteemed neighboring estates such as Domaine des Ouches in Bourgueil and Clos Rougeard in Saumur Champigny. The soils are sandy and calcareous, and the vineyard practices are managed biodynamically to enhance the expression and vitality of the terroir.

Winemaking

There is an 8 days maceration in concrete tanks using only indigenous yeasts. A low temperature fermentation, followed by 6 months ageing in barrels.

Tasting Note

With this cuvée, Domaine de Pallus reveals the charm and historical character of the cabernet franc, as well as the “savoir-faire” of the winery since 1889. On the nose, this offers vibrant aromas of red and black berries, such as raspberry, cherry, and blackberry. The palate is medium-bodied with refined tannins, providing a balanced structure that highlights flavours of ripe fruit intertwined with nuances of spice, graphite, and a touch of mineral acidity.

Food Matching

Sainte-Maure cheese or some rillons from Tours.