Domaine de Pallus Les Pensées de Pallus 2020

Domaine de Pallus is a Loire estate founded in 1889 and still in the same family, now run by Bertrand Sourdais, who spent more than a decade making wine in Spain before returning to Chinon in 2003. He farms biodynamically. Les Pensées de Pallus is a single-variety Cabernet Franc from Chinon, on the clay and limestone soils of the appellation. Cabernet Franc on limestone keeps naturally high acidity and a firm, fine tannin structure, and the variety carries its typical leafy, herbal character alongside red fruit. The wine spends twelve months in barrel, softening the tannins and adding a light savoury spice without masking the fruit. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows raspberry and redcurrant with thyme and a graphite, earthy edge. On the palate it is medium bodied and structured, the acidity fresh and the tannins fine grained, closing on tobacco and cedar. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees, decanting young bottles briefly. It is a classic partner for roast lamb, beef and hard sheep's cheeses.