Famille Vaillant - 'l'Aubinaie' - Cabernet Franc - Anjou, Loire Valley, FR - 2017

This stalwart wine forms an interesting bridge between the perfumed varietality of the Cabernet Breton and the rugged strength of “L’Ancrie”. An entirely honest Loire red that blossoms with air and offers great pleasure. The 2017 is purer and more classic than the ebullient 2016 was. Derived from calcareous soils and aged in 3-4 year-old barrels. --- This relatively large (55 hectares) domaine has unbroken family history going back to the 18th century. Completely organic for more than fifteen years, it makes an impressive range of wines from several Anjou appellations. We have been especially impressed with their reds, which are made without additional sulfites, fining or filtration. To give an idea of Vaillant’s approach, when they do use small quantities of sulphur for spraying purposes, they get it direct from a Polish mine, rather than using the petro-chemical products that are the norm in the wine world. DEMETER CERTIFIED.