Clos de Turpenay AOC 2022

Wine description for Clos de Turpenay AOC 2022 by Château de Coulaine

Character

A Chinon of remarkable finesse: dark berries, a hint of pepper and liquorice, accompanied by a silky texture that carries the tannins rather than overwhelming them. The 13.5% alcohol is perceptible yet never heavy – here Cabernet Franc reveals its cooler, more elegant side, far removed from any Bordeaux weight.

Terroir & Origin

The plateaux of Chinon offer a mosaic of clay-limestone and sandstone over a porous chalk bed. The continental climate with Atlantic influence ensures slow ripening – the foundation for wines that combine power and grace. In family ownership since 1300, now run by ninth-generation Jean de Bonnaventure, an agricultural engineer who continues his ancestors’ legacy with modern expertise.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pure Cabernet Franc, spontaneously fermented and aged in used barriques. The vines grow across some 19 hectares that have never been treated with chemicals for centuries – organic certification followed in 1997, the first in the entire appellation. Low yields of around 35 hl/ha and hand harvesting are a matter of course. A wine that lets the terroir speak, not the cellar.

Food Pairings

The cool spice and fine tannic structure make this Chinon a versatile food companion: pan-fried duck breast with a herb crust, rack of lamb with rosemary, stuffed peppers with minced meat and tomatoes, or a mature Comté with nuts. Also a surprisingly harmonious choice with smoked trout fillet and horseradish.