Patrick Baudouin La Fresnaye Rouge

An academic and philosopher before becoming a winemaker, Patrick Baudouin is a Loire maverick often referred to as ‘poet of terroir’. His wines are best described as ‘untamed’ and really express the specific plot they hail from. They are not manipulated or massaged into a style; they are wild in nature yet precise and clean in the glass. Quality is everything to Patrick and all grapes are hand-picked and hand-sorted so that only the best fruit goes into his wines.

Château de la Fresnaye is a 16th C Renaissance castle, on whose lands grow old Cabernet Franc vines planted on schist veined by limestone. It is this outstanding and expressive terroir and grapes that Baudoin brings to life in this wine. It is aged in second-use Burgundian barrels for 6 months for added depth, complexity and softness. A trademark and vibrant Loire Cabernet Franc profile comes together with decided earthiness throughout. Ripe cherry and wild strawberry blend with a whiff of roses. The palate is juicy and taught with nuances of earth and game. Wild with incredible rustic elegance.