Cabernet Franc AOC 2020 1500ml Magnum

Wine Description for Cabernet Franc AOC 2020 1500ml Magnum by Clau de Nell

Colour & Appearance

Deep purple with luminous violet reflections – a visual promise of the youthfulness and power of this Loire Cabernet Franc.

Nose

Textbook Cabernet Franc in its purest form: dark blackberries and cassis unite with the varietal note of green pepper. Beneath lies a fascinating cool, herbaceous depth with graphite nuances, speaking of old vines and mineralic terroir. This freshness and precision recall the finest Chinons.

Palate

Juicy and dark-fruited, the wine unfolds with impressive elegance. The refined tannins bear the hallmark of patient, 30-day maceration with minimal intervention. The vibrant acidity lends the wine tension and drinkability – here Loire finesse pairs with surprising concentration. Cool minerality remains present throughout.

Finish

Long, precise and carried by beautiful freshness. The graphitic minerality and dark fruit resonate harmoniously – an honest, authentic finish without affectation.

Terroir & Origin

The 45 to 55-year-old vines are rooted in loamy-silty soil over sandstone as well as red flint on tuffeau – that limestone formation which gives the Loire its characteristic minerality. Low yields of 40 hl/ha guarantee concentration.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Hand-harvested grapes in small 12-kilo crates, gently destemmed and fermented over 30 days with rare pump-overs. Twelve months ageing on fine lees in older Burgundian pièces (5-7 years old), followed by a further six months in large oak. A vinification that prioritises finesse over extraction.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Serve at 16°C from a decanter with grilled beef sirloin with ratatouille, lamb rack with okra and polenta or – surprisingly vegetarian – gnocchi with melted tomatoes and rosemary.

Special Features

The magnum bottle (1500ml) guarantees optimal ageing conditions. A wine that offers drinking pleasure now, yet possesses potential for a further 5-8 years.