Cabernet Franc AOC 2021

Wine Description for Cabernet Franc AOC 2021 by Clau de Nell

Colour & Appearance

Deep, nearly opaque ruby red with a black core – a visual statement of concentration and maturity.

Nose

A textbook nose for Loire Cabernet Franc: blackberries and black cherries meet the characteristic red pointed pepper, underpinned by black pepper and sorrel. Wild-spicy notes of beef jerky, dried cherries and subtle spices create a fascinating complexity. Pure in tone, intense, without overstepping – emblematic of the variety.

Palate

Taut and sinewy with pronounced extract. The dark fruit is framed by silky-firm tannins that draw precise contours. Transparent with a cool acidity, invigorating on the palate, with ruby-gleaming fruit.

Finish

Mineral-cool with lingering freshness and fine spice. The fruit fades elegantly, carried by the vibrant acidity.

Terroir & Origin

Domaine Clau de Nell in Ambillou-Château unites exceptional terroirs: silty-clayey soils with red flint and tuff stone. The Cabernet Franc vines are 45 to 55 years old, some parcels even over a hundred years. Taken over in 2008 by the Leflaive family, the estate is now run by all three children of Anne-Claude Leflaive.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Biodynamic viticulture following the lunar calendar, hand-harvested at modest yields of 40 hl/ha. 30-day maceration with gentle submerging of the cap, spontaneous fermentation in 228-litre Burgundy barrels. Cellarmaster Sylvain Potin works with minimal intervention.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Braised lamb shank with paprika tarhonya, grilled mackerel with paprika-walnut pesto or grilled peppers with bulgur salad. The wine’s spicy paprika note harmonises perfectly with corresponding dishes.

Special Features

A prime example of modern Loire Cabernet Franc: concentrated yet not excessive, with cool elegance rather than warm opulence. The biodynamic management and exceptional terroir create a wine of crystalline precision and authentic varietal character.