From: Loire Valley, France
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Taste: Aromas of red clay, potting soil, chalk, and rock salt, underlain by undertones of dry, savory herbs and tomato leaves. Yet, despite its unequivocally earthy character, the wine does not shun the fruit-bearing aspect of its identity. Swirls of black raspberry jam and juicy black cherry emerge, harmoniously intermingling with that unmistakable Cab-Franc hint of roasted red bell pepper. The essence of the earth echoes through the wine's texture, the sturdy, rough-hewn tannins and home-spun acidity providing a backdrop for warming flavors and notes of strawberry, cornflour, and dried oregano.
Pairing: With its high acidity, medium-body and herbaceous aromas of green pepper and red fruits, Cabernet Franc is a perfect choice to pair with many foods. Steak, charcuterie, sausages, veal, or roasted chicken are just a few suggestions for this delicious grape. While those traditional companions pair seamlessly alongside many a Cabernet Franc, this wine's complexity invites more adventurous pairings, such as ginger-dill salmon (check out the recipe below) or mochiko chicken.
Ginger-Dill Salmon
By Ali Slagle
About. In the world of wine, a conversation about viticulture often takes center stage. It becomes a veritable symphony when the conductor is Angélique Leon, a fervent devotee of organic farming and minimal intervention in the vineyard. The tune she orchestrates is ancestral, resonating with the profound voices of Cabernet Franc grapes from their historic home in Chinon. These voices, laden with tales of the terroir, speak volumes about the vintner's craft. The harmony of aromas and flavors is so inextricably linked to the local soils that it is easy to imagine each bottle of Chinon filled with whispers of the vineyard earth.
The 2020 Angélique Leon Chinon Cabernet Franc certainly leads us to ponder this notion. Its aromatic profile evokes impressions of red clay, potting soil, chalk, and rock salt, underlain by undertones of dry, savory herbs and tomato leaves. Yet, despite its unequivocally earthy character, the wine does not shun the fruit-bearing aspect of its identity. Swirls of black raspberry jam and juicy black cherry emerge, harmoniously intermingling with that unmistakable Cab-Franc hint of roasted red bell pepper. The essence of the earth echoes through the wine's texture, the sturdy, rough-hewn tannins and home-spun acidity providing a backdrop for warming flavors and notes of strawberry, cornflour, and dried oregano. It's a sensory voyage that begins with the first sniff and resonates through the finish.
Born into a family of vintners, Angélique Leon assumed the reins of her parent's estate in Savigny-en-Véron, nestled in the heart of the Loire Valley, in 2002. A one-woman force, she tends the vines, harvests the grapes, and vinifies the wines. Situated at the confluence of the Loire and Vienne rivers, the 7-hectare vineyard – part of the Chinon appellation – offers a complex topography of sandy, gravel, clay, and limestone slopes. While the vineyard yields mainly red wines, a small (5%) rosé output adds a blush of diversity. The estate's average 30-40-year-old vines are exclusively Cabernet Franc.
Leon's philosophy embraces the belief that great wines originate in the vineyard and are sculpted by minimal intervention. Adopting sustainable practices for soil management and disease and pest control, she transitioned to fully organic methods in 2018. Hand-harvesting ensures optimal grape selection, and the wines are vinified separately by plot, their blend defined by the style of each vintage. Her aspiration is simple: "My wines will give you the same pleasure as I get from my work."
The Cabernet Franc, or 'Breton' as it's known locally, yields a wine of dark ruby hue, with a floral nose laced with hints of violet and lilac. It dances on the palate with red and black fruits like raspberry, cranberry, red cherry, blackberry, and blackcurrant, punctuated by an unmistakable minerality and earthiness. A signature green leafy streak adds a vegetal dimension, evoking impressions of sage, green bell pepper, and grass. While softer on the tannins than its Cabernet Sauvignon counterpart, it still offers a smooth mouthfeel and racy acidity.
These notes of black fruits, herbs, tea, anise, and venison are particularly evident in well-aged bottles, often complemented by hints of spice. This versatility makes the Cabernet Franc a gracious partner to various dishes. While red meats such as beef and lamb are traditional companions, this wine's complexity invites more adventurous pairings, such as ginger-dill salmon or mochiko chicken.
The 2020 Angélique Leon Chinon Cabernet Franc is a symphony composed on the vines and orchestrated in the cellar, an ode to the beauty of nature, the power of terroir, and the artistry of a devoted vintner. Savor it with tradition or daring – either way, it is bound to be an unforgettable experience.
