Domaine de la Butte Le Haut de la Butte 2022

Domaine de la Butte Le Haut de la Butte is an organic Cabernet Franc from Jacky Blot in the Bourgueil appellation of the Loire. Blot bottles his Cabernet Franc plot by plot, and this cuvée comes from Le Haut de la Butte, the top of the hill, one of the best slopes on the estate. The vineyard sits on calcareous soil and faces south, so the vines catch full sun while the limestone keeps the roots cool and feeds a firm, mineral line through the wine. Cabernet Franc on Loire limestone gives bright red fruit and a savoury, leafy character, with fresh acidity rather than weight. The fruit is farmed organically and the wine is aged in barrel, where measured oxygen exchange softens the tannins and adds a light cedar and tobacco frame. The colour is bright ruby, the nose offering red currant and red berries, crushed black pepper and a stony, herbal note. The palate is medium bodied and fresh, with fine tannin and a clean, savoury finish. Serve at 16 degrees, decanting briefly if young. It suits beef, game birds and hard cheese.