B-21 Top Recommendation
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"Cabernet Franc as it should be ... immensely satisfying and easy to enjoy." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Loire Buyer
Loire's red wines are getting more and more attention these days and for good reason. The quality is on a sharp upswing and yet the wines still offer some of the best QPR in all of France, where the ancient, native Cabernet Franc varietal is enjoying a long-overdue and much welcome renaissance in popularity. Chinon is the poster child for the best expressions, but the Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil appellation is making a strong case for itself, often displaying all the class and sophistication of Chinon at a fraction of the price.
Xavier Amirault's passionate advocacy of biodynamics and his meticulous attention to detail make him a natural advocate for the appellation's wines, but his wines themselves do more than enough talking. The domaine's Clos des Quarterons is a singular property in the region, from which Amirault carefully crafts his range. The 2022 Les Quarterons is made from predominantly younger vines on sandy soils, providing a beautiful introduction to the utterly charming style of this humble yet talented winemaker.
With 94 points and an Editor's Choice nod from Wine Enthusiast, it's a certified gem that shows what Cabernet Franc can be in the right hands. Our Andrew Kitz was equally impressed with the wine's "startlingly expressive" nose of "pure, precise fruits" and an "equally fresh and vital" palate that conveys all the varietal character that Cab Franc fans crave. Approachable now, it's also well-balanced and structured enough to stash some away, as the wine's "cool and suave" character will only get more interesting with time. | 
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