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

2010 :
Such a good surprise ! 2010 belongs to those classic but very well-balanced Loire wine millésime. The wines are very juicy in spite of their concentration. The first released cuvées are very attractive but the others wines from the best terroirs will need some time before being drunk. 2010 is not so far from the greatest year 2005...
 

2009 :
A generous vintage. The climate conditions have been great with very classicals seasons. The grapes rope easily in spite of the crop which was generous as well... The 2009 seem already very drinkable, with ripe flavours and elegant tannins. Even the most concentrated wines could be appreciated right now but can last 5 to 15 years.
 

2008 :
The coldest year we had since 2001. The harvest started on the 8th of October which is quite late. However, the grapes rope well and the crop conditions were beautiful. The level of acidity and tannins is much higher than 03, 05, 06 even 07 and the wines look very fresh. 2008 is a vintage to keep about 5 years before drinking. The wines should age slowly but for a long, long time...
 

2007 :
A very humid year, especially in Summer. We had to spray quite often to control the fungus but the conditions were almost tropical. The crop was very low but the end of the season was nice again and the grapes rope slowly with a reasonable level of alcohol (between 11.5 to 13%/vol. The 2007 wines are very juicy, fresh, light but intense. One of the favourite Bernard'vintages.