Loire Cabernet Franc in Full Swing
Domaine des Chesnaies has been crafting Cabernet Franc in the Loire since 1869, with generations of the family passing down both land and savoir-faire. Today, they remain one of the great reference points for the appellation, consistently delivering wines that combine freshness, authenticity, and real value.
The newly arrived 2023 Cuvée Déchaînée embodies the house style at its most joyful. Drawn from younger vines across their estate, it is vinified to highlight the vibrant, crunchy red fruit, supple tannins, and lifted aromatics that make Loire Cabernet Franc so irresistible. Unlike the more structured cellar-worthy cuvées of the domaine, this bottling is all about immediacy—an “unchained” expression of the grape that feels alive in the glass.
What you get is a wine that is both classic and modern: juicy cherry and raspberry, subtle herbal notes, and a clean mineral finish that speaks to the gravelly soils of Bourgueil. It’s the kind of bottle that begs to be opened on a Tuesday night with roast chicken or a simple charcuterie board, but it has enough shape and detail to impress even the most serious Francophile. With its heritage, terroir-driven style, and under-$15 price point, the 2023 Cuvée Déchaînée stands as one of the Loire’s best values.
This is Cabernet Franc at its most approachable and delicious; an estate with over 150 years of tradition reminding us why Bourgueil deserves a spot at the table.
