Why do we love it?
Cabernet Franc Clau de Nell is an important part of the modern wine history of France and a deeply emotional wine, one of those that we know you love as much as we do! It is a Cabernet Franc from the Loire, an epitome of elegance that will surely become one of your favorite red wines. Additionally, it scored 92 pts in Wine & Spirits!
Anne Claude Leflaive was the great lady of Burgundy! She was a descendant of the famous Leflaive family, so she took over the family estates at Cote d’Or in 1990 and immediately began experimenting with organic and biodynamic cultivation. This was a very bold move as the climate of Burgundy makes organic farming very difficult. By 1997, biodynamic farming had been implemented throughout the estate and she had become a leading figure in the biodynamic movement. Her estate in Burgundy was constantly gaining awards and as a highlight, in 2006, the Decanter named her "Best White Wine Winemaker" in the world!
Anne Claude Leflaive was a restless spirit and after Burgundy, she decided to turn her attention to the Loire. She bought the Clau de Nell winery in 2006 with her husband, Christian Jacques, in the Ambillou Château area of the Loire. They chose it because of its unique terroir, which consists of a mosaic of different soils, but also because of its old vines. The old Cabernet Franc vines (60 years old) are the essence of Cabernet Franc Clau de Nell. Biodynamic cultivation and manual harvest form the basis. After that, follows the fermentation with indigenous yeasts and maturation in old Burgundy barrels (what else??) for 12 months. It is bottled unfiltered and it is just perfect!
Tastes Like
It has medium ruby color and intoxicating aromas of violet, lavender, wild strawberry, cherry, sour cherry, redcurrant, tea, wet stone, leather, and pepper. Enjoyable mouth, with medium body, crisp acidity, and medium but silky tannins. Cherry, red plum, raspberry, bilberry, tea, violet, bell pepper, nutmeg, and leather make up a delicious whole.