Chinon "Les Granges"
100% Cabernet Franc. The Granges vines are an 8-hectare site along the Vienne River in Cravant, just below the winery. They are around 20 years old now and planted on pure sand and pebbles with virtually no clay, giving rise to a light, fresh style of Chinon. The farming is certified-organic. All vineyard work, including harvest, is by hand. The fruit is destemmed without crushing and moved by gravity into unlined cement vats. Fermentation is spontaneous with native yeasts and without sulfur or temperature control; maceration lasts around two weeks with a daily pumpover and no punchdowns. The wine is aged in concrete tank for 7-10 months and bottled without filtration. Sulfur usage is minimal. Les Granges is the earliest release of the Baudry reds.