Deboutbertin La Noue Blanchard Cabernet Franc 2020

Deboutbertin La Noue Blanchard Cabernet Franc 2020

Deboutbertin
$47.00

Grape: Cabernet Franc
Vintage: 2020
Type: Red

This natural red wine is crafted by Stéphanie and Vincent Deboutbertin from cabernet franc vines grown organically in the Loire Valley. The fruit is hand-harvested from a single vineyard plot characterized by shallow soils over a solid schist bedrock. Spontaneous fermentation relies entirely on native vineyard yeasts in neutral tanks, avoiding modern extraction techniques or chemical corrections. The wine settles naturally using gravity flow and is bottled completely unfiltered, unfined, and without any added sulfites.

It pours a translucent ruby color, releasing high-toned aromas of fresh raspberry, red currant, and wild mountain herbs. On the palate, a light-to-medium-bodied frame pairs crunchy red fruit flavors with a chiseled, gravelly tannin structure. Savory notes of damp earth and white pepper add depth across the fluid mouthfeel. A clean wave of natural acidity runs through the center, keeping the texture refreshed. It finishes bone-dry, leaving a light trace of graphite.

Deboutbertin is a small-scale, natural wine producer. The winery is run by Stéphanie Debout and Vincent Bertin, who left their engineering careers to pursue winemaking. They focus on minimal intervention and a holistic approach to viticulture. They use agroforestry techniques, interplanting their vines with other trees and plants to create a healthier ecosystem and avoid monoculture. All vineyard work, including plowing, is done by their horse, Anatole, minimizing their carbon footprint. They primarily work with Chenin Blanc, Pineau d'Aunis, Grolleau, and Cabernet Franc.