Clau de Nell | Loire | Cabernet Franc AOC | 2021 | 750ml | bio

Description

Product description for Clau de Nell Cabernet Franc AOC 2021 (bio)

In 2006, Anne-Claude and her husband Christian met the owners of the Clau de Nell winery. The estate in Ambillou-Château on the Loire River possessed great potential, with soils of clay, flint, and tuff and magnificent, old vines with an average age of 60 years, some even over a hundred. At that time, the estate’s eight hectares were planted with Cabernet Franc, Grolleau, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Leflaives purchased the estate in 2008, and the vineyards were gradually expanded. Cellar master Sylvain Potin cultivates the estate according to biodynamic principles. All three of Anne-Claude Leflaive’s children work on the estate. Cabernet Franc, the emblematic variety of the Loire, occupies a full five hectares of the estate. Grown on a silty-clayey terroir consisting of gravel and red flint on tuff, the vines are on average 45 to 55 years old. The vineyards are treated with biodynamic preparations according to the lunar calendar; the yield is approximately 40 hl/ha. Harvested by hand, destemmed, and subjected to a 30-day maceration period with gentle submersion of the pomace cap, the must is then spontaneously fermented in 228-liter Burgundy barrels.

Colour

Dark, almost opaque ruby red with a black core.

Nose

Blackberries, black cherries, and ripe red bell peppers are underscored by black pepper and sorrel. The nose is emblematic of the great class of pure-toned Loire Cabernet Francs of this world and is a blueprint for any blind tasting or testing situation. Wildly spicy with notes of dried beef jerky, mild spices, and dried cherries make the wheel spin, the fruit a quiet driver with great intensity without tipping over into a bolide.

Palate

The 2021 Cabernet Franc from Clau de Nell flows tautly across the palate with a sinewy body and striking extract. The dark fruit is enveloped in silky, firm tannins that contour it on the tongue. Transparent with a cool acidity, it is stimulating to drink, with ruby-tinged fruit in a cool, mineral finish.

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Keywords: Clau de Nell Cabernet Franc AOC 2021 bio Loire France

Wine Advocate

Score: 89

Notes of green bell pepper, spices, pepper, violet and dark wild berries introduce the 2021 Anjou Cabernet Franc, a moderately weighted, layered and tense wine that is seamless with fine-grained, powdery tannins and concludes with a long, penetrating finish despite some meaty notes.
Yohan Castaing

Vinous

Score: 83

The 2021 Cabernet Franc from Clau de Nell is fresh, floral and fragrant. It’s certainly a cool-climate wine, with its crunchy fruit, bright energy and mouthwatering acidity. As with its Violette cuvée (a Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon blend), a leathery and farmyard flavor joins the aroma party, suggesting Brett has infected this wine. Its drying nature on the finish also alludes to the issue. The overall impression is rather aggressive, which is quite disappointing, as there is interesting, pure, concentrated fruit in a light-bodied package beneath the 4-EP and 4-EG compounds.
— Rebecca Gibb MW
Drinking window: 2024 – 2028
Review date: Jan 2024

Producer website: https://claudenell.fr/en/home/