La Grange Tiphaine Touraine Rouge "Bécarre"

No doubt you have to travel to the western borders of Touraine to see the top expressions of the Loire's single-vineyard Cabernet Franc, such as in Chinon or Bourgueil. And yet La Grange Tiphaine's "Becarre" from Touraine's "humble" appellation of origin is an excellent wine from this great variety. This particular, just 5 hectares, single-block piece of vineyard is the last to be harvested by the winery. Ripeness, which comes most difficult on this side of the Loire, is a key note, and yields are also extremely low to help with full ripening. A modern expression of the varietal with notes of black cherry and blackcurrant, the characteristic vegetal character of Cabernet Franc and a hint of tobacco and spice. Lovely silky tannins and that endless elegance that characterizes the variety at its best.