Olga Raffault Les Barnabés | Chinon
2007
Marvelous Cabernet Franc from one of the top Domaines in Chinon, founded by Olga Raffault—the 1st female vigneron in France—and now run by her granddaughter, Sylvie. Very pure, delicious red Loire—an exceptional wine at this price.
Recommend this wine to a friend
The Press
‘Wine of the Week: Very clear, crisp, bright and crunchy blackberry and raspberry fruit, but a decisive tang of something mineral and smoky too. On the palate, it is very fresh indeed - it is the antithesis of big, vanilla-rich Cabernet Sauvignons and Syrahs, instead being lithe and crisp, with plenty of acidity and an almost white wine-like vibrancy.’— Tom Cannavan, Wine-Pages.'Wine of the Week: The first of the summer’s Chinons and what a good start….. This tastes as authentic and true as wine can—with a vivid aroma of blackcurrants and raspberries and a juicy, supple palate with a gravelly-earthy character that seems to come straight from the soil.'— Joanna Simon
Our tasting notes
Lightly burnt nose with lots of good minerality here from the sand and gravel soil—very fresh, well made wine that brings the summer on. Serve at slightly below room temperature—almost but not quite chilled.Wine data
Grape variety: 100% Cabernet FrancAppellation: AC Chinon
Alcohol: 12.5%
About Chinon:
Chinon is one of the most significant appellations in the Tourraine district of the Loire valley. It is renowned, above all, for its 100% Cabernet Franc red wines introduced into Chinon by Cardinal Richelieu as he considered it the finest of grapes. It does also produce a small amount of Rosé and an even smaller amount of white. These red wines, along with other Cabernet Franc wines from around the Loire Valley, are extremely popular in restaurants around France but are yet to be exported on a large scale. Grown on limestone, gravel and sand soils the wines tend to be refreshing, light to medium bodied and often heavily scented with good fruit and acidity.
Prices are all-inclusive for deliveries to UK mainland and Northern Ireland. Minimum total order is 1 case (12 bottles of 75cl equivalent) for the UK and 2 cases (24 bottles of 75cl equivalent) for Northern Ireland, Highlands and islands. We also offer a collection service for our French wines from just outside Calais, France (minimum of 5 cases from the same producer and excluding mixed cases), at a per-bottle saving of £1.50 for wines and £2.00 for Champagne, and a per-case saving of £18 for wine, £24 per 12-case/£12 per 6-case for Champagne. For details, please read our Delivery/Collection Information and Terms & Conditions.
