Chateau de Petit Thouars "Les Georges" Chinon Rouge, Loire Valley, France 2022

FROM ROSENTHAL:

THE WINE: 100% Cabernet Franc. Sébastien named this cuvée in honor of his ancestors, nearly all of whom are named George (in fact, his real first name is George, too). The friendliest of the estate’s three red-wine offerings, “Les Georges” is produced entirely from the free-run juice of the younger vines of Cabernet Franc, and is vinified and aged in steel tank. This cuvée comes primarily from “Les Plantes,” the thirteen hectares of Cabernet Franc immediately behind (to the west of) “Le Clos” which Sébastien’s father planted between 1978 and 1988. Far from a simple gulper, however, “Les Georges” is classic Chinon in its marriage of vibrant fruit, honest tannins, and refreshing earth-mineral interplay.

THE PRODUCER: Built in the early 1500’s for a wealthy family from the town of Thouars, the Château du Petit Thouars is a 150-ha estate run today by Sébastien du Petit Thouars, the twelfth generation to dwell here since his ancestor George purchased the property in 1636.

In contrast to the sandy soils that predominate further east in the appellation, the vineyards around Petit Thouars are clay-limestone-giving the red wines impressive potential for structure and complexity (much like those from Saumur-Champigny, in fact), as well as being particularly suited to producing outstanding Chenin Blanc. Sebastien and D'Arcy have been working toward fully organic viticulture, having eschewed the use of non-organic treatments except as an ultimate last resort (i.e., when a crop is on the line). The vineyards and cellar are managed by Michel Pinard, a born-and-bred Chinonnais who worked for many years as the right-hand-man of Charles Joguet-one of the appellation's most famous and respected vignerons. A true man of the land in both appearance and spirit, Michel uses his profound, bred-in-bone familiarity with the particularities of this cepage in these soils to craft beautifully balanced, classic, unforced Chinon of immense expressive power. His deeply-rooted mastery of craft marries wonderfully with Sebastien and D'Arcy's youthful zeal and vision.