La Niverdière - Palimpseste 2018

(Chinon, Loire Valley, France) 

Rich with the character of cab franc, but with a uniquely chiseled mineral streak.  Supple forest fruit and perfectly-balanced tannins are underpinned with a fine acidity and just the right hint of gamey savouriness.  

Made by Martine Budé, a prodigious self-taught winemaker who set up her estate and has run it singlehandedly since 2015. She works with an 'infusion' style of winemaking, favouring gentle and light extractions, using only concrete vessels as opposed to the more tannic, oak-laden examples that are typical of Chinon.