Our tasting impressions
A lovely, ultra traditional Chinon (hence its name) with fresh red fruit. It's more linear and leaner than Tentation. But it's beauty lies in its pure, vivid and unmasked expression of Cabernet Franc. It will be fascinating to follow the evolution of this wine from its current primary youthfulness to more complex maturity. Well crafted Chinon can age long and magnificently.
About this wine
100% Cabernet Franc from a vineyard planted 30 years ago in Turonian (the second age in the Late Cretaceous Epoch) limestone soil known as "tufa".
Early in the growing season, unproductive buds are removed. Leaves on the vines are thinned throughout to ensure maximum nutrients and water for the fruit. Harvesting and initial sorting is by machine. A manual sort follows as well as de-stemming. Yield was 50 hl/ha.
Fermentation lasts 10 days in tanks to enhance the fruit and maintain the tannic structure. The wine stays in the tanks for 6 months on fine lees before bottling. About 7,000 botlles produced.
About the grape
Cabernet Franc, an ancient variety, thrives in cooler climates because it ripens best slowly. This allows its green, vegetal flavorings to be balanced and nuanced. Green bell pepper is a frequent flavor descriptor of these wines.
Cabernet Franc tends to produce lighter, softer, more acidic and less tannic wines than Cabernet Sauvignon (the latter is an offspring of the former crossed with Sauvignon Blanc). The style of Cabernet Franc wines, which are made all over the world, can range from simple and easy drinking to dark, brooding and substantial. The best can age for decades.
About the vintage
2022 was an exceptional vintage in Touraine. It was very hot and very dry but August rain enabled grapes to reach full ripeness and locked in freshness. Cyril Mary says they had only 350 mm of rain from January to October harvest. His yields shrunk but concentration increased.
Domaine Mary is an exciting new family estate run by Cyril Mary and co-owned with his father Bernard. Started in 2014, the property is on the left bank of and near the northern terminus of the Vienne River. The left bank is known for producing the appellation's richest and most powerful Cabernet Franc.
The 14 hectare vineyard is in Chinon, an appellation widely recognized for producing the Loire Valley's finest Cabernet Franc.Except for 1 hectare of Chenin, the property is all Cabernet Franc. They produce 3 reds, one white and one rosé and total bottle production is less than 15,000. Even though the estate is in its pre-teens, the vines were planted up to 70 years ago.
VDLT is the first and only source for their wines in the US and the only source outside of France. Half of the sales of their 23,000 bottles production occur at the Domaine.
Cyril, 45 years old, is committed to sustainable farming without chemicals and pesticides. He strives to produce outstanding wines that express his personality and values.
