In the glass

Medium-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: red plum, blackcurrant, violet, graphite

Palate: dark berry, fine tannin, mineral, savoury herb

Bourgueil from a walled gravel-and-tuffeau clos around the estate. Mid-weight, structured Cabernet Franc with classic Loire savoury depth and a fine mineral spine.

What it pairs with

  • Coq au vin
    Loire chicken classic and the wine's plum-and-graphite register align.
  • Roast lamb with thyme
    Herbal lamb meets the wine's violet and dried-herb lift.
  • Lentil and bacon stew
    Iron-rich lentils mirror the wine's mineral and savoury length.

History

Le Grand Clos sits in the heart of the Amirault estate at Bourgueil. The walled vineyard has been farmed biodynamically since the 2014 conversion.

  1. 1988 — Le Grand Clos first bottled as estate flagship

Facts

Producer
Domaine Yannick Amirault
Grapes
Cabernet Franc (100%)
Classification
Bourgueil AOC
Oak
14 to 16 months in oak barriques, around 15 percent new
ABV
13.0%
Price
EUR 22 to 32 at retail
Drinking window
5 to 15 from vintage
First vintage
1988
Biodynamic
Biodynamic Practicing
Organic
ORGANIC CERTIFIED
Vegan
Yes (no animal-derived fining)

Scores

  • Vinous 91 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)

Frequently asked about Le Grand Clos

What does Le Grand Clos taste like?

Red plum, blackcurrant, violet and graphite on the nose; dark berry, fine tannin, mineral and savoury herb on the palate. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and high acidity, long finish.

When should I drink Le Grand Clos?

Drink between 5 and 15 years from vintage. Decant 30 to 45 minutes for younger vintages.

What food pairs with Le Grand Clos?

Coq au vin, roast lamb with thyme, and lentil and bacon stew are all canonical matches.

Where is Le Grand Clos made?

From a walled vineyard around the Amirault estate at Bourgueil, farmed biodynamically by Yannick and Benoit Amirault.

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