Olga Raffault Chinon 'La Singulière' 2015

For refined, classically-styled Loire Valley Cabernet Franc, look no further than Domaine Olga Raffault’s Chinon.

Established by Pierre and Olga Raffault in 1931, the domaine survived Pierre’s tragic death in 1947 thanks to the work of Ernest Zeinninger, who introduced quality-focused, minimal intervention farming at a time when chemical use was widespread in the Loire.

Taking over in 2000, Olga’s granddaughter Sylvie and her husband Eric de la Vigerie quickly achieved organic certification and critical acclaim without previous winemaking experience. With their son Arnaud, they farm 24ha in Chinon’s prime sites, the pinnacle of which is 'Les Picasses'. The secret to this steep, south-facing vineyard – the source of the domaine’s flagship red cuvée – is a deep limestone seam, giving its wines significant capacity to age.

'La Singulière' comes from the oldest vines in the lieu-dit. After fermentation in foudre and maceration for over a month, this is the only Raffault wine to see new wood. Pure and fresh, with dark-toned fruit and forest floor. Round, juicy Cabernet Franc with fine tannins and elegance.