Organic. 100% Cabernet Franc. Le Domaine hails from Baudry’s high-sited vines, which lie on a plateau above Chinon’s première côte. The lion’s share of the fruit comes from vines with an average age of around 35 years, planted on sandy, limestone-rich soils, while 20-30% is drawn from slightly younger vines on gravelly soils. The principal vineyard here is evocatively named Cimetière aux Chiens, which translates as ‘dog cemetery’ (probably a reference to the limestone that litters the soil here).
Harvested by hand, this fermented naturally (without inoculation) in traditional cement vats. Aging occurred in both concrete and old casks for 15 months and the wine was bottled unfiltered, two springs after harvest. This is considerably longer aging than in the past. Baudry believes this drawn-out élevage brings more mineral limestone character to his wine and it is now much more seductive and approachable.