Paul Buisse Chinon 2023

Cabernet Franc may play a supporting role in Bordeaux, but travel north to the Loire Valley and it gets the spotlight all to itself. In Chinon, vineyards stretch along both banks of the Vienne River, where Cabernet Franc produces reds known more for freshness and fragrance than sheer power. Paul Buisse’s 2023 is a classic example made entirely from Cabernet Franc. Notes of raspberry, red cherry, black plum, and violet with mineral undertones are a hallmark of the region. The fruit is juicy and bright, but there is enough concentration and silky tannin underneath to give the wine some structure. Give it a slight chill and a little time in the glass, and you have a terrific introduction to one of the Loire Valley’s great red wines.