Talking all things CHINON! An interview with Sébastien du Petit Thouars, Vice President of the Chinon AOC.

Commentary and analysis of the Aurélien Revillot, 2020 Bourgueil ‘Les Aubuis’

Commentary and analysis of the Macari Vineyards, 2021 “Lifeforce” Cabernet Franc, North Fork of Long Island AVA, NY

Commentary and analysis of the Le Petit Saint-Vincent (Dominique Joseph), 2017 Saumur-Champigny ‘Les Clos Lyzières’

Commentary and analysis of the Domaine des Frères, 2021 Chinon ‘Les Moulins des Beau Puys’

Commentary and analysis of the iClivi, 2020 Cabernet Franc, Friuli Colli Orientali DOC, Italy

Commentary and analysis of the Domaine Guiberteau, 2018 Saumur Rouge ‘Les Arboises’

Commentary and analysis of the Patrick Baudouin, 2017 Anjou Rouge ‘La Fresnaye’

A look back on 2023. It was a busy one! Busy in the best possible way. Here is a round up of some of my most memorable wines and experiences from this year.

Commentary and analysis of the Southbrook Vineyards, 2020 Saunders Vineyard Cabernet Franc, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

Commentary and analysis of the Domaine du Bel Air, 2018 Bourgueil ‘Clos Nouveau’

I have discovered that when a person chooses to grow and/or work with Cabernet Franc in regions where it is not necessarily the obvious choice, it is often because of a deep love of Loire Valley Cabernet Franc. And one family’s passion for Cabernet Franc, led me to discover a bottle from a rather unlikely place - Germany!

Commentary and analysis of the Domaine Grosbois, 2017 Chinon “Clos du Noyer”

Commentary and analysis of the Argentiera, 2011 Lavinia Maria, Bolgheri (IGT Toscana), Italy

Commentary and analysis of the Echolands Vineyard, 2019 Cabernet Franc (Blue Mountain Vineyard), Walla Walla Valley AVA, Washington State, USA

Commentary and analysis of the Domaine des Roches Neuves (Thierry Germain), 2020 Saumur-Champigny “Franc de Pied”

When an exceptional vigneron is working with a high quality site/vineyard for Cabernet Franc, vintage is not something I concern myself with as it relates to the inherent quality of the finished wine. In my opinion, a wine of very good quality will be produced from these top sites in the hands of a top vigneron in ANY vintage.

Commentary and analysis of the Domaine Philippe Alliet, 2018 Chinon ‘L’Huisserie’

In May I was invited to lead a wine dinner for the Commanderie de Bordeaux chapter in Mexico City. Naturally the theme of the dinner was Cabernet Franc, and I had the pleasure to present and showcase some of the top examples from Bordeaux and the Loire.

Commentary and analysis of the Heron Hill, 2020 Ingle Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Finger Lakes, New York, USA