Domaine Fabrice Gasnier - "les Graves" Chinon Rouge 2023

In 1990, at the age of 21, Fabrice Gasnier — after formative stints in Entre-Deux-Mers, Champagne and Burgundy — returned to his Chinon roots to make wine with his father Jacky in 1990. The estate comprised of 25 hectares, all within the commune of Cravant-les-Coteaux. The age of the vines average 45 years and are all south-facing, an imperative characteristic given the marginal climate of Chinon. A fourth-generation winegrower and vigneron, Fabrice employs biodynamic techniques in farming (certified since 2008), no pesticides or herbicides; yields are extremely low. The estate’s gradual transformation to organic, then biodynamic farming invigorated their vines, allowing them to reach deep into the limestone bedrock. As a result, Fabrice’s wines are aromatic and racy with great concentration and length. Delicious upon release, but they are excellent candidates for short-term aging.

Gasnier's Les Graves Chinon Rouge is a bright, fruity wine, redolent of cedar and fresh red fruit. Its source is 30-year-old Cabernet Franc vines from a single vineyard. The wine is vinified in tank to maintain its terrific fruitiness. The Gasnier’s ‘little wine’ is bright and racy and is wonderful with grilled food, roasted poultry and hard cheeses.