Olga Raffault
La Singuliere Chinon Cabernet Franc
Chinon, Touraine, Loire Valley, France
I’m a sucker for Raffault’s wines and this rarity is no exception. Made from a single old vine parcel in the Picasses vineyard, this wine is aged in 500 litre (1-5 year old) barrels instead of the large foudres used for Picasses.
Dynamite wine with more (but still restrained) oak use. Would love to get my hands on more of this and lay it down as it’s still super true to the house style. Wild and ageworthy!
I’m a sucker for Raffault’s wines and this rarity is no exception. Made from a single old vine parcel in the Picasses vineyard, this wine is aged in 500 litre (1-5 year old) barrels instead of the large foudres used for Picasses.
Dynamite wine with more (but still restrained) oak use. Would love to get my hands on more of this and lay it down as it’s still super true to the house style. Wild and ageworthy!
A selection from the Picasse vineyard, the 2012 Chinon La Singulière has greater oak influence than the Picasse cuvée, being aged for two years in 600-liter foudres. The nose is focused and fine with brooding characters. It expands beautifully in the mouth, offering plenty of substance without verging on heaviness. There are no angles to this wine, but plentiful tannins provide power on the finish. There's a slight element of dryness, potentially derived from the fermentation and extended maturation in oak. Scented and smoky on the finish, with black cherry flavors lingering long. This needs food but can be enjoyed now for its spicy, savory nature. (Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous, October 2021)
A selection from the Picasse vineyard, the 2012 Chinon La Singulière has greater oak influence than the Picasse cuvée, being aged for two years in 600-liter foudres. The nose is focused and fine with brooding characters. It expands beautifully in the mouth, offering plenty of substance without verging on heaviness. There are no angles to this wine, but plentiful tannins provide power on the finish. There's a slight element of dryness, potentially derived from the fermentation and extended maturation in oak. Scented and smoky on the finish, with black cherry flavors lingering long. This needs food but can be enjoyed now for its spicy, savory nature. (Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous, October 2021)
Wine blogger doxologywine.com; Freelance Sommelier (Court of Master Sommeliers) Doxology Wine Consulting
THIS is what Loire cab franc should taste like.
THIS is what Loire cab franc should taste like.
1 person found it helpfulApr 8th, 2015
Before I get into the deets, this has been a great week for me and Loire wine. These are not modern and not the rustic crunchy wines of old. It seems that quality is starting to spread from the few that have been making epic wines for decades to the younger and new Loire vigneron.
As for this beauty, the color is a dark red core with vibrant purple and red edges.
The nose and palate is pure #cabernetfranc with deep and fresh red berries, pepper spice, and a mineral core with hints of tobacco and earth. The palate is the real star with sensual and silky ripe tannins. There is no fat, this is fresh and perfectly balanced and only 12.5 abv! Outstanding and only a baby. This is a producer to follow for sure. Thank you for the introduction @Lyle Fass. #chinon #raffault
Before I get into the deets, this has been a great week for me and Loire wine. These are not modern and not the rustic crunchy wines of old. It seems that quality is starting to spread from the few that have been making epic wines for decades to the younger and new Loire vigneron.
As for this beauty, the color is a dark red core with vibrant purple and red edges.
The nose and palate is pure #cabernetfranc with deep and fresh red berries, pepper spice, and a mineral core with hints of tobacco and earth. The palate is the real star with sensual and silky ripe tannins. There is no fat, this is fresh and perfectly balanced and only 12.5 abv! Outstanding and only a baby. This is a producer to follow for sure. Thank you for the introduction @Lyle Fass. #chinon #raffault
2010 Raffault "Singulaire" tonight. This has a little bit of new wood but all the Raffault funk and purity is there. A baby now but promising. Really silky texture and nice sense of seamlesssness
2010 Raffault "Singulaire" tonight. This has a little bit of new wood but all the Raffault funk and purity is there. A baby now but promising. Really silky texture and nice sense of seamlesssness
Oct 3rd, 2015
Violet candy, cherry, tobacco. Long, focused, and elegant. Beautiful cab franc. Beautiful label, too, despite its illegibility.
Violet candy, cherry, tobacco. Long, focused, and elegant. Beautiful cab franc. Beautiful label, too, despite its illegibility.
Dec 19th, 2014
solid and under 40€ in a restaurant
solid and under 40€ in a restaurant
Apr 7th, 2022
Very rarely does a cab franc stand out to me, but this one sure did. More refinement than most and an effusive nose.
Very rarely does a cab franc stand out to me, but this one sure did. More refinement than most and an effusive nose.
Dec 24th, 2016