2020 Bourgueil Vieilles Vignes, Domaine des Mailloches, Loire Valley, France

With its deep black-cherry and plum hue, black fruit dominate this wine’s nose. Harmonious flavours of red fruit and liquorice develop on the palate, supported by well-structured tannins. Pairs well with grilled meats, red meats, dishes cooked in a sauce, cheeses.

Located in Restigné, in the heart of the Bourgueil appellation, Domaine des Mailloches is an old vineyard dating back over 100 years. Eight generations of winemakers have followed and today Samuel Demont and his family con-tinue to farm 16 hectares of Cabernet Franc. Planted on sandy soil, gravel and clay - limestone, the vines are grown sustainably.

80 -100 year old vines are subject to strict pruning and selective disbudding to help control the vigour of the vine and ultimately increase the concentra-tion of flavours and colour. In the cellar the wine is fermented for 2-3 weeks at controlled temperatures. Pumping over (‘remontage’) is used to encour-age further extraction. Malolactic fermentation takes place before the wine is matured in tank for 9-18 months.