Bottler: Clau De Nell, Rue de Noyers, 49700 Ambillou-Château / France
In the glass
Colour
Dense purple with violet reflections – profound and expressive in the glass
Nose
Mulberries, blackcurrant and violet meet liquorice, plums, blackberry and damson; plus cinnamon, clove, anise and lovage, rosemary and thyme
Palate
Dense, dark fruit, silky and juicy, with distinct notes of red pepper, floral accents, gripping acidity and a meaty-bloody finish – entirely without perceptible tannin
Character
Cool, refined and elegant – a powerful yet remarkably light-footed Cabernet Franc with wild spice character and great aromatic depth
Pairing
Braised pork cheeks with spiced jus, short rib with hoisin sauce, beetroot baked in salt crust with basil pesto
Notes
Old vines (45–55 years), biodynamic cultivation, hand-harvested in small crates, 30-day fermentation with rare pump-overs, 12 months ageing on fine lees in old Burgundy pièces plus a further 6 months in large oak cask
Tasting note
Colour & Appearance
Dense, saturated purple with vibrant violet reflections – a wine that already promises depth and character in the glass.
Nose
A remarkably multi-layered nose that celebrates the essence of Cabernet Franc in its purest form. Mulberry, blackcurrant and violet come to the fore, flanked by dark liquorice, juicy plum and blackberry. The fruit feels dense and concentrated, yet never heavy-handed. From the spice cabinet come cinnamon, clove and anise, whilst a subtle herbal interplay of lovage, rosemary and thyme rounds it off – wild, meaty, irresistible.
Palate
On the palate, this wine unfolds with remarkable elegance: silky, cool and gripping in its precision. The tannins retreat almost entirely into the background – what remains is dense, self-contained fruit, carried by vibrant acidity and a cool, mineral framework. Juicy and substantial at once, with a distinctly meaty, blood-like character that anchors the wine firmly in the best Loire tradition.
Finish
Long and aromatic. Red pepper – both raw and roasted – marks the aftertaste with typical Cabernet Franc signature, accompanied by newly emerging floral notes. A finish with character and length.
Terroir & Origin
The vines of Clau de Nell in the heart of the Loire are rooted in a fascinating terroir blend: clay-silt soil on sandstone as well as red flint on tuffeau (limestone). This combination gives the wine its mineral tension and cool structure.
Grape Variety & Vinification
Pure Cabernet Franc from 45 to 55-year-old vines. Hand-harvested in 12-kilo crates, destemmed, then gentle fermentation over 30 days with minimal pumping over. Aged for twelve months on fine lees in Burgundian pièces (5–7 years old), followed by a further six months in large oak. Yield: 40 hl/ha. A wine where you can taste the craftsmanship in every sip.
Food Pairing Suggestions
An ideal companion to braised pork cheeks with spiced jus and savoy cabbage or short rib with hoisin sauce and seared pak choi. Those who prefer vegetarian options will be pleasantly surprised by beetroot baked in salt crust with basil pesto.
Special Characteristics
It is rare for a Cabernet Franc to combine density and lightness so convincingly. No wood character, no excess – just pure, expressive terroir wine from the Loire. A wine for connoisseurs who value finesse over power.
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