For refined, classically-styled Loire Valley Cabernet Franc, look no further than Domaine Olga Raffault’s Chinon. Established by Pierre and Olga Raffault in 1931, the domaine survived Pierre’s tragic death in 1947 thanks to the work of Ernest Zeinninger, who introduced quality-focused, minimal intervention farming at a time when chemical use was widespread in the Loire. Taking over in 2000, Olga’s granddaughter Sylvie and her husband Eric de la Vigerie quickly achieved organic certification and critical acclaim without previous winemaking experience. With their son Arnaud, they farm 24ha in Chinon’s prime sites, the pinnacle of which is “Les Picasses”. The secret to this steep, south-facing vineyard – the source of the domaine’s flagship red cuvée – is a deep limestone seam, giving its wines significant capacity to age. Spending 18 months in oak and chestnut foudres before bottling, “Les Picasses” is a wine of gracefulness and purity. With time in bottle, it reveals complex layers of tobacco and truffle, alongside earthy minerality and a silky-soft tannins. Perfumed with peony and blackcurrant leaf. Sappy and poised with a long, crunchy finish. 13.5% ABV
