The Cabernet Franc varietal

A recent study has revealed that the Cabernet Sauvignon is issued from a cross between the Cabernet Franc and the Sauvignon Blanc.
Theoretically the Cabernet Franc grape variety was first planted in the region by monks in the XIth and XIIth centuries. The variety is also locally known as " Breton " or " Berton " because, according to tradition the wines were sent to England via the region of Brittany. The English thus drunk a Cabernet Franc at the time called " Brittany wine". Moreover, in the XVIth century, Rabelais wrote the following words for Gargantua :

J'entends de ce bon ?breton wine-, which grows not in Brittany but in this beautiful land of Verron.

The single grape variety Cabernet Franc produces the red wines of Bourgueil, Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, Saumur-Champigny and Chinon. With the same grape variety, two distinct styles of red wine are produced within the appellation Chinon :

1. On gravely soils, the Cabernet Franc gives soft, fruity and voluptuous wines.
2. On clay-limestone soils on the hillsides the same grape variety gives rise to richer fruit giving more powerful and tannic wines.

Recent vintages

2004 :
After a long and cold winter, the Loire Valley was subject to a shortage in rainfall up until the end of July.
August was very wet (approx. 120mm of rainfall). The varietals that ripen earlier would have suffered from bad weather just before the harvest had it not been for the fact that September was glorious with very warm temperatures during the day. The Cabernet Franc did well in such conditions as the harvest started around the 4th October (the usual time for the harvest to begin).
As far as volume was concerned, the 2004 was a bigger harvest than 2002 and 2003. Severe pruning and de-budding were an essential task carried out earlier on in the year.
Concerning the quality of the fruit, there was a high concentration of polyphenols (tannins, colour) and a higher level of acidity than in 2003. The sugar in the fruit was practically equivalent to that in 2003.
However, the wines coming from grapes sourced on the hillsides and our cuvee ?Les Grézeaux?, will benefit from being laid down for 2 to 3 years in a good cellar before drinking.
2004 is a vintage with body that is similar to the 1996 vintage in many ways and will potentially keep for many years?

2003 :
The climatic conditions were extreme for vineyards in the Loire Valley even though there was not as much sunshine as in 1976 and 1989. The temperatures were globally a lot higher over a shorter period of time. Heavy showers watered the vines between July and September which stopped them from dehydrating.
The harvest started a fortnight before the usual date.
The wines produced in 2003 are tender, fruity and seductive with a hint of spice. Levels of acidity are good especially for the ?Les Grézeaux? cuvée. All of the wines should be drunk within ten years of bottling except for ?La Croix Boissée? which is one of the most concentrated wines ever produced at the vineyard.

2002 :
A year of suspense. After an early start for the vines in the spring and no late frosts, the summer months were rather nerve-wracking with a normal amount of rainfall but a low sunshine count.
At the end of August we were rather pessimistic. Although the grapes had started ripening, damp weather made grey rot a threat to the harvest.
And then, as if by miracle, September was warm with three weeks of sunshine and an easterly wind that dried the grapes and concentrated their sugar content.
At the end of September we were more optimistic and the harvest was carried out in exceptional weather conditions from the 4th October.
2002 is a very seductive wine with a deep colour and aromas of ripe fruit. The 2002 vintage is one of our wines with the highest alcohol content.
The 2002 is not far short from being a Vintage wine (a year in which the climate is exceptional all season) that charms us with its richness and depth.