Foucher-Lebrun 'Chais St Laurent Vigne en Veron' Chinon

Foucher-Lebrun has been one of the Loire Valley's most trusted petit négociants since 1921, and the Chais St. Laurent Vigne en Veron is a compelling argument for why Chinon deserves a place in every serious wine shop. The name refers to the Véron peninsula, a finger of land at the confluence of the Vienne and Loire rivers, where the vines are planted in a mix of clay-limestone and gravelly riverside soils — two very different terroirs that together give this wine both structure and freshness. One hundred percent Cabernet Franc, hand harvested and de-stemmed, fermented in stainless steel and then aged for roughly eight months in a combination of neutral vats and used barrels. The result is classic Chinon without apology: an elegant nose of red berries, violets, and wild herbs, with the cool-climate Cab Franc signatures of cassis, fresh raspberry, a whisper of green pepper, and the telltale tobacco note that lingers on the finish. The tannins are firm but not aggressive, and the acidity keeps everything lively and food-friendly.