Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses 2008 DISCOUNTABLE this cuvée balances ripeness with

this cuvée balances ripeness with vibrant acidity

topping up the barrels for 22 months so oxygen never gets a foothold

absolutely delicious

spontaneous fermentation and elevage in neutral oak and steel

and several months on fine lees give the wine a subtle creaminess to frame all that maritime cut

Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses 2008 DISCOUNTABLE this cuvée balances ripeness withLes Picasses is one of the Loire's great vineyards, and Olga Raffault is the domaine that proved it. A south facing slope of clay over limestone tuffeau, it gives Cabernet Franc everything it needs at once: sun for ripeness, drainage, clay for flesh, chalk for structure. Raffault's mid slope vines are over fifty years old, farmed organically and fermented with indigenous yeast, then aged for years in big oak and chestnut foudres before more time in