B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More
"Marc Plouzeau is at the top of his game today and making some of the most stunning wines to be found anywhere in the vast universe that is the world of wine." - John Gilman,View From the Cellar
The Loire Valley is so much more than Sancerre, and we're on a mission to bring you new discoveries that showcase just how much world-class wine there is to be found along this lengthy stretch of river. Apart from Sancerre, Chinon is probably the best-known Loire appellation, and certainly the best-known for red wines. After all, it's an ancestral home of the ancient Cabernet Franc varietal, which performs on its own here better than anywhere else in the world.
Long-time Loire fans probably know names like Joguet and Raffault, but Marc Plouzeau is one you need to add to your list post haste.His vineyard holdings are easily among the finest in the appellation, and his meticulous craftsmanship in the cellar fully expresses their inimitable potential. A master of single-vineyard expressions, Plouzeau offers a thrilling range of styles from his varied terroirs, but the 1929 Lieu-Dit Vindoux (also known as the Vindoux L'Integrale) is his undisputed crown jewel. These near-centenarian vines on deep argilo-calcaire soils produce a famously age-worthy wine, which has reached new levels in the excellent 2020 vintage. With 95+ points from Gilman, "it will stand as one of the great wines made in Chinon in the last couple of decades."
While the domaine is built on Cabernet Franc, Plouzeau also makes a pair of truly singular Chinon Blancs, the highlight being the Vive le Chenin. Made from a one-hectare parcel of Chenin Blanc, the 93-point 2022 "is going to be an outstanding wine." Fermented and aged all in tank with no malolactic, it's loaded with true varietal character yet remains approachable young, with "a superb core of fruit, lovely soil signature, zesty acids and excellent precision on the long and perfectly balanced finish."
The best feature of Plouzeau's wines, however, is the pricing – simply jaw-dropping given the benchmark quality in the bottle, perhaps due to his still under-the-radar status compared to his contemporaries. Savvy Loire collectors will want to take full advantage while they can, especially if Plouzeau keeps turning out results like these. | 
Top Quality Store
