Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Savoury
Domaine Philippe AllietLoire Valley€€€€€€Still Red
Alliet's gateway Chinon blends sand-and-gravel terrace parcels for a juicy, mid-weight Cabernet Franc with the house's savoury, Bordeaux-trained signature in early-drinking form.
Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing · Easygoing
Maison AckermanLoire Valley€€€€€€Sparkling Traditional
Ackerman's value Cremant de Loire blanc. Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc vinified in stainless steel and aged 12 to 16 months on the lees: yellow peach and white-flower aromas, lively attack, suave mid-palate, slightly tart finish.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Fruity
Domaine Charles JoguetLoire Valley€€€€€€Still Red
Joguet's gateway Chinon from sand-and-gravel terraces. Bright, juicy and herbal Cabernet Franc to drink in its first few years, lightly chilled.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Refreshing
Domaine Bernard BaudryLoire Valley€€€€€€Still Red
The estate's gravel-terrace blend and gateway to Bernard Baudry's house style: bright raspberry and violet over a fine-grained Cabernet Franc backbone, ready to drink in its first few years.
Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing · Festive
Bouvet LadubayLoire Valley€€€€€€Sparkling Traditional
Saigne-method Cabernet Franc Cremant de Loire. Intense pink-salmon hue, wild strawberry and ripe peach aromas, a broad and gently tannic palate with a soft mousse.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Fruity
Domaine de la NoblaieLoire Valley€€€€€€Still Red
The estate's gateway Chinon, blending sand-and-gravel terrace parcels for a mid-weight, juicy Cabernet Franc with classical Loire poise and a mineral finish.
Dry · Light-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Refreshing
Domaine Olga RaffaultLoire Valley€€€€€€Still Red
Sand-and-gravel terrace Cabernet Franc from the river terraces around Savigny-en-Veron. Bright, light-footed and tank-aged for early drinking, lightly chilled.
Dry · Light-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Refreshing · Easygoing
Domaine de la PépièreLoire Valley€€€€€€Still White
Pépière's entry-level Muscadet from Château-Thébaud-area parcels. Crisp, citrus-driven and saline, designed for early drinking and shellfish.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Fruity
Domaine de la ChevalerieLoire Valley€€€€€€Still Red
The estate's gateway Bourgueil, blending sand-and-gravel terrace parcels for a juicy, biodynamic Cabernet Franc to drink in its first decade.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Medium tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Fruity
Couly-DutheilLoire Valley€€€€€€Still Red
Named for Rene Couly, who founded the firm in 1921. The estate's gateway Chinon: juicy, fresh Cabernet Franc from sand-and-gravel parcels, vinified for early drinking.
Dry · Light-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing · Easygoing
Domaine Bernard BaudryLoire Valley€€€€€€Still Rose
Direct-press Cabernet Franc rose from the estate's clay-and-gravel terraces. Pale salmon in colour, savoury and mineral rather than fruit-forward, finishing dry and saline.
Dry · Light-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing · Easygoing
Domaine Olga RaffaultLoire Valley€€€€€€Still Rose
Saigne-method Cabernet Franc rose. Pale salmon, savoury and mineral rather than candied, finishing dry and saline.
Dry · Medium-bodied · High acidity · Refreshing · Elegant
Bouvet LadubayLoire Valley€€€€€€Sparkling Traditional
The Bouvet flagship Saumur Brut: Chenin Blanc led with a touch of Chardonnay, 18 months on the lees in tuffeau cellars. Pale gold with hints of amber, white-flower and honeyed fruit aromas, brisk red-apple and biscuit on the palate.
Dry · Medium-bodied · Low tannin · High acidity · Easygoing · Fruity
Domaine Catherine et Pierre BretonLoire Valley€€€€€€Still Red
The Bretons' natural-leaning gateway Bourgueil. Crunchy, juicy and low-sulfite Cabernet Franc, picked from younger gravel-terrace parcels and vinified for early drinking.