2010 Château du Petit Thouars "Cuvée L'Amiral" Touraine Rouge (Library Release)

Château du Petit Thouars has a long history in the Chinon appellation dating back to the 16th century. Now run by Sebastien and D'Arcy du Petit Thouars, the 12th-generation owners, the estate is located in the western part of Chinon (formerly Touraine), where the soils have more limestone-clay (and border Saumur-Champigny). The vineyards were not classified as Chinon until 2015, when the appellation was redrawn to include this special terroir. Moving forward all of Petit Thouars' reds and whites will carry the Chinon appellation on their labels. The Cuvée L'Amiral is only produced in the best vintages, a selection of the oldest vines and best parcels. Under the deft hand of Michel Pinard (Charles Joguet's protegée), all grapes are hand-harvested, native yeasts create the fermentation, and the wine ages for a minimum of two years in neutral barrel. A pure expression of Cabernet Franc, this has loads of aromatics, beautiful texture and weight, and is sure to be recognized as one of the great wines of the region. *Organic*