Domaine des Closiers
Cabernet franc from the 'Grand Cru' sites on the Loire can have alluring, almost Bordeaux mixed with Burgundy-like perfumes and silky, ripe, pure and clean palates. Here are some benchmark examples! Please also see below the owner Anatole's interesting comments on oak-ageing and his hatred of Brett.
Loire legends Michel Chevre and Nady Foucault have thrown their weight behind these extraordinarily good wines, working as consultants 'raising' this young but already fantastic domaine. Michel is an organic vigneron guru who cut his teeth with Thierry Germain at famed Roche Neuve; Nady was a driving force behind the celebrated, almost mystical Clos Rougeard. Domaine des Closiers has only 15ha of mature vines that are perfectly sited on well-drained limestone-rich, clay based vineyards facing the Loire River.
The Domaine's name hails from the troglodytes who originally inhabited the caves above the vineyards in which they worked. Those deep and cool caves, carved directly into the limestone cliffs, now house the awesome network of cellars in which the Domaine ages its wines. The whole operation is driven by perfectionism with an obsessive attention-to-detail. The evidence: 6 full-time staff in the 15ha of vines!
At harvest there are 3 sorts: first in the vines, one before destemming, and an additional after!The attention to detail is fierce here. Anatole says that he hates Brett, and his use of (2nd use) Chateau Haut Brion barrels, use of oxygen-scavanging "bioprotect" microorganisms addittions, cool ferments, careful SO2 use and rigerous topping-up processes help ensure his wines are clean, perfumed and singing with floral and fruity aromas and flavours. Cheers, Randall
