Château du Hureau, Cabernet Franc, Saumur-Champigny "Tuffe" Loire Valley, France 2023

100% organic Cabernet Franc

The historic property of Château du Hureau - one of the only wine producing Châteax in the Loire - is among the top producers of Saumur-Champigny. The château has been in the family for generations, and today, is run by fifth generation vigneron Philippe Vatan and his daughter Agathe.

The underlying tuffeau (a soft chalk from the Cretaceous Period) is the common thread that gives the Saumur-Champigny its distinctive quality. This Cabernet Franc of Château du Hureau is dark, intense and sappy, with plenty of lovely fruit balanced by acidity and minerality from the underlying tuffe soils.

"Tuffe" is Philippe Vatan’s red made from a wide variety of parcels spread across his limestone-rich vineyards. Aged in stainless-steel in an immaculate cavernous cellar, this has classic Cabernet Franc notes that include black raspberry and just the right amount of savory herbs while finishing with well-integrated tannins.

Château du Hureau began embracing a natural approach to viticulture in the mid 2000s, and became officially 100% certified organic as of the 2007 vintage. This is a particularly impressive commitment given the threat of spring rains and the resulting risk of mildew from humidity and moisture. The vines are meticulously hand-pruned, and in the cellar Philippe hand-sorts one final time, guaranteeing utmost quality and ripeness of fruit. All wines are vinified with indigenous yeasts. The Tuffe is aged in tank.