Le Puy 'Emilien' 2022

Winemaking

Le Puy is a small family estate in Anjou with a deep commitment to preserving traditional winemaking methods and respecting the terroir of the Loire Valley. The domaine approaches each vintage with restraint and precision, allowing the natural character of Cabernet Franc to emerge without heavy-handed intervention.

Tasting Notes

This is a refined expression of Loire Cabernet Franc that opens with bright red fruit aromatics—cherry and red currant—alongside subtle herbaceous whispers and a distinctive mineral spine. The palate is elegant and silky, with well-integrated tannins that frame flavors of ripe cherry and dark plum, finishing with the peppery spice that defines quality Anjou reds. The acidity is crisp and lively, carrying the wine through to a clean, persistent finish with lingering herbal complexity.

Producer

Le Puy operates as a traditional family domaine in the Anjou appellation, where meticulous vineyard management and minimal intervention in the cellar are hallmarks of their approach. The estate focuses on expressing the unique character of their specific parcels rather than pursuing modern extraction or oak influence, a philosophy that has earned respect within the Loire community.

Terroir

Anjou sits within the Loire Valley's middle reaches, where the Atlantic's moderating influence creates ideal conditions for Cabernet Franc. The soils here are predominantly schist and clay over limestone bedrock, which impart those characteristic mineral notes and contribute to the wine's natural freshness and complexity. This terroir produces wines of elegance and restraint, quite different from the fuller Cabernet Francs of warmer regions.

Food Pairings

Try this with roasted duck breast or coq au vin, where the wine's peppery spice and silky tannins complement both the richness and the earthy sauce. It's equally at home with a simple grilled lamb chop finished with fresh herbs, or alongside a charcuterie board featuring cured meats and aged Manchego.