DOMAINE GROSBOIS & DOMAINE AMIRAULT
LOIRE, FRANCE
Why Buy: Cabernet Franc remains a critical darling for sommeliers across the land – and for us here, too, at Concierge. Simply put, we love the stuff and can’t get enough of it. And today we’re bringing you a small shelf of great ones from two great estates, Domaine Amirault and Domaine Grosbois, that harken back to a time when domaines were handed down through the generations, the rhythms of nature were strictly heeded, and each winery sought to capture the precise quality of their patch of land.
What They're Saying: Roger Voss, of Wine Enthusiast, lavished praise on Amirault's Le Clos des Quarterons Vielles Vignes 2019, with grapes sourced from the family's home vineyard, calling it "deliciously, impressively rich." He was equally enamored of the Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil Le Fondis 2016: "rich and balanced despite its modest alcohol," he raved, with "ripe, firm tannins [that] give the wine ... structure along with some further aging potential." Reviewing Amirault's Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil Les Quarterons 2020, made from 30-year-old Cabernet Franc vines grown on gravel soils, Voss hailed it as "smooth" and "well-structured," with a hint of smokiness – a young wine that, he added, "will soften" as it develops. As for Grosbois's Chinon Gabare, Voss wrote that it is already well on its way to a graceful maturity, "a generous" wine with a "balance [that] is already there."
The Story: The watchwords for Domaine Amirault are tradition, continuity, and terroir – the estate has been in the Amirault family for six generations (today it's managed by Xavier and his wife Agnès), and continues to put a keen emphasis on organic and biodynamic methods of farming and cultivation. The result? Winemaking that brings forth the natural and singular character and purity of its primary varietals, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc. The latter varietal is also at the heart of operations at Domaine Grosbois, run by the Brothers Grosbois, Nicolas and Sylvain, who made wine all over the world (Italy, Australia, Argentina) before returning home to the Loire Valley to make the kind of wines their forefathers made: robust, structured, and generous.
Our Tasting Notes: What a joy to settle in with these. In short: Cabernet Franc as it's meant to be, in all its earthiness and savor, all its backbone and strength, and, not least, all its subtle power.
Fun Fact: The ringer here, Amirault's La Ferme des Fontaines Pet'Night, is a sparkling wine with character, and a salinity and strength that makes it ideal for any setting or occasion.
What to Pair Them With: You could hardly craft a more ideal food wine than a Cabernet Franc from the Loire. Roast chicken, a thick and juicy grilled steak, sausages, charcuterie, lamb and hummus, chicken tagine – they all find their match in these earthy, soulful wines.
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source direct, so rest assured – your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Order yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Fall 2023. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in GA, MI, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
