Clos du Chêne Vert AOC 2011

The Clos du Chêne Vert is located on the right bank of the Vienne, not far from the centre of Chinon. The vineyard reaches to the top of the hill. The Clos is named after the huge oak tree that characterises the vineyard and is said to have been planted by monks from Bourgueil in the 12th century. The vineyard itself covers two hectares and is much steeper than the Clos de la Dioterie. The soil is characterised by clay, lighter pebbly soils and low-lying limestone. Because of the vineyard's location on the opposite bank of the Vienne with a southern exposure, it is always the one where the harvest begins. The Cabernet Franc receives a cool pre-fermentation at 10 °C for ten days. The maceration in wooden vats lasts around four weeks at temperatures of 21 °C at the most. As soon as the alcoholic fermentation is complete, the blending of the pre-fermentation wines and the best pressed wines for the malolactic fermentation takes place. The French oak barrels are partially renewed each year, so that about one fifth of the barrels are new and one to four years old. The vintages then mature for 15 to 16 months in wood, another six months in tank for harmonisation, and are then bottled.

quite transparent garnet red with brick red rim

Aged for eleven years, the wine is charming and sensual with a residue of dark berry fruit and red plum combined with tobacco, leather, violets and crushed lime. In addition, there is a little undergrowth, some iron as well as blood and a trace of ink.

On the palate the Chêne Vert large and deep, as if the doors were opening to a banqueting hall. Everything is in its place, is noble and festive. This complex Chinon has melting aromatic tannins, shows a remnant of fruit, much of the typical sous-bois and the iron of ripened cabernets, furthermore foliage and leaves. A great pleasure!