Benoit Courault La Grande Maile 2024

Benoit Courault tends a few hectares at Faye d'Anjou in the Loire, farming organically and following a natural approach in the cellar with green manures, horse ploughing and minimal intervention. La Grande Maile is his Cabernet Franc, bottled as Vin de France. The Anjou schist and slate soils give Cabernet Franc its bright acidity and fine tannin, while the cool Loire climate keeps the fruit lifted and the alcohol moderate. The grapes are hand picked, and the wine ages seven months in old oak barrels, vessels chosen to round the tannin through slow oxygen exchange without adding oak flavour, in keeping with the low intervention style. The colour is light ruby. The nose is fresh and floral, showing strawberry, raspberry and red currant with a light leafy, herbal edge characteristic of Loire Cabernet Franc. The palate is light bodied and supple, with crunchy red fruit, gentle tannin and a clean, mineral finish. This is an easy, food friendly red that can take a light chill. Serve at fourteen to sixteen degrees. It suits roast chicken, charcuterie and mushroom dishes.