Domaine Fabrice Gasnier La Cravantine Brut Millésimé – 2021

This small, organic and biodynamic-certified family domaine is one of the rising stars of Cabernet Franc production in the Loire Valley, situated just outside Chinon in the sleepy village of Cravant les Coteaux. This is one of the best quality areas for growing Cabernet Franc in the region; top producer Philippe Alliet is just down the road. The soils here are a mix of sand and clay with limestone subsoil. 

Yields are generally very low – around 30hl/ha – and the grapes are all hand-picked.

This sparkling rosé was made from 100% Cabernet Franc grapes in the traditional Champagne method of secondary fermentation in the bottle. It spends around 12 months on its lees during the second fermentation before being bottled in bone dry style (with only 0.6g/l of residual sugar. It is fresh with good structure and very appealing gentle raspberry and strawberry fruit flavours. Delicious!

“The NV Vin Mousseux Brut Methode Traditionelle La Cravantine is a pale rosé colored Cabernet Franc sparkling wine with a very delicate mousse. Fermented on the bottle with its own residual sugar from the first alcohol fermentation and after at least one year sur lattes, the wine opens with an intense yet fine and elegant brioche and ripe apple bouquet. On the palate, this is an intense, round and textural, highly delicate fizz with a super elegant and refined mousse and a long, intense and aromatic, sustainably structured finish. A fabulous wine for aperitifs, breakfasts and desserts. 12% alcohol. ” 93/100pts Wine Advocate