Domaine de Clayou rests on 35 hectares in St. Lambert du Lattay in the heart of the Anjou. The estate is farmed by Jean-Bernard and Catherine Chauvin along with their son Denis. Denis is the fourth generation of the family to work the vines on this estate which was founded in 1920 by his great grandfather with just 8 hectares. Jean-Bernard took over as the head of the domain in 1984. Since 2000 Domaine de Clayou has been certified sustainable by Terra Vitis, an organization that stresses the fair treatment of employees along with avoiding chemical treatments in the vines. The Chauvin’s 20-43 year old vines are planted to schist and limestone soils across the appellations of Anjou and Coteaux du Layon. They harvest their grapes manually and the wines are vinified in a combination of concrete and fiberglass-lined underground tanks.

The Domaine de Clayou Anjou Rouge is made from 100% Cabernet Franc vines that are 25 years old, planted on schist and calcareous soils. Light purple in the glass with a ruby hue, the wine is wonderfully aromatic with notes of red berries, pepper and a graphite minerality. On the palate, the wine is clean, fresh and vibrant with pleasant acidity, soft tannins and wonderful concentration and length. A textbook example of Anjou Cabernet Franc. Enjoy with chicken breasts roasted with peppers and herbs.