Couly-Dutheil 'Pur Sans Nature' Chinon, Loire Valley, France 2024
Established in 1921 by Baptiste Dutheil, Couly-Dutheil has become one of the most respected names in Chinon, serving wines at France's finest tables for over a century. The estate flourished under René Couly, who married Baptiste's daughter Madeleine in 1928, dramatically expanding vineyard holdings and elevating wine quality. Today, the estate remains a family house operated by the father-and-son team Jacques and Arnaud Couly, representing the third and fourth generations. With 94 hectares including the prestigious monopole Clos de l'Echo and Clos de l'Olive, the domaine features modern cellars carved into the rock and impressive 10th-century caves beneath Chinon's château. Since 2005, Arnaud has shifted focus to intensive vineyard work, seeking riper fruit and more expressive wines while maintaining characteristic freshness. The "Pur Sans" cuvée name is a playful reference to "pur sang" (thoroughbred), highlighting this wine's pure, unadulterated expression of Cabernet Franc without added sulfites.
WINEMAKER: Arnaud Couly and Jacques Couly-Dutheil.
FARMING: Sustainable agriculture principles with environmental focus. Grass cover between rows to limit yields and prevent erosion, organic composting, hand-harvesting, yield limitation through green harvest and manual leaf removal, biodiversity preservation.
VARIETY: 100% Cabernet Franc.
TERROIR: Chinon AOC, Loire Valley. The appellation encompasses 26 communes covering diverse terroir along the Vienne River near its confluence with the Loire. Three principal soil types characterize Chinon: gravelly and sandy plains along the Vienne producing lighter, fruit-forward wines for early drinking; hillsides and slopes of yellow tuffeau limestone mixed with clay yielding fuller-bodied, age-worthy wines; and plateaus with clay and sand offering richer tannins and structure. Semi-oceanic climate influenced by Atlantic air currents from the Loire creates mild temperatures with long sunny periods, ideal for Cabernet Franc's development. The temperate conditions and varied soils allow exceptional expression of finesse and the celebrated "taffetas" texture characteristic of top Chinon.
VINIFICATION: Zero sulfites added. Harvesting at optimal maturity followed by gentle destemming and complete sorting. Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Fermentation temperatures carefully controlled to favor expressive, fruity Cabernet Franc character. No sulfur additions at any stage of production. Minimal intervention approach emphasizing pure fruit expression and terroir transparency.
AGING: Maturation in stainless steel tanks until bottling. No oak aging. Bottled in spring following harvest.
TASTING NOTES: Brilliant purple robe showing the wine's vibrant youth. Fresh, dynamic nose dominated by intense red fruit aromatics and floral notes. Pleasant concentration of ripe fruit accented with spice. The palate is round, supple, and fresh with dynamic energy. Light-to-medium body delivers uncomplicated drinking pleasure. Intense fruitiness extends through the palate with fine, discreet tannins adding elegance. Soft, refined texture with lively character. The pure fruit expression showcases the natural qualities of Cabernet Franc without masking from sulfites or oak. Clean, persistent finish with red berry flavors and subtle spice.
FOOD PAIRINGS: Aperitif, summer salads, charcuterie, goat cheese (especially Sainte-Maure de Touraine), grilled fish, light poultry dishes, Asian cuisine.
Couly-Dutheil 'Pur Sans Nature' Chinon, Loire Valley, France 2024
Established in 1921 by Baptiste Dutheil, Couly-Dutheil has become one of the most respected names in Chinon, serving wines at France's finest tables for over a century. The estate flourished under René Couly, who married Baptiste's daughter Madeleine in 1928, dramatically expanding vineyard holdings and elevating wine quality. Today, the estate remains a family house operated by the father-and-son team Jacques and Arnaud Couly, representing the third and fourth generations. With 94 hectares including the prestigious monopole Clos de l'Echo and Clos de l'Olive, the domaine features modern cellars carved into the rock and impressive 10th-century caves beneath Chinon's château. Since 2005, Arnaud has shifted focus to intensive vineyard work, seeking riper fruit and more expressive wines while maintaining characteristic freshness. The "Pur Sans" cuvée name is a playful reference to "pur sang" (thoroughbred), highlighting this wine's pure, unadulterated expression of Cabernet Franc without added sulfites.
WINEMAKER: Arnaud Couly and Jacques Couly-Dutheil.
FARMING: Sustainable agriculture principles with environmental focus. Grass cover between rows to limit yields and prevent erosion, organic composting, hand-harvesting, yield limitation through green harvest and manual leaf removal, biodiversity preservation.
VARIETY: 100% Cabernet Franc.
TERROIR: Chinon AOC, Loire Valley. The appellation encompasses 26 communes covering diverse terroir along the Vienne River near its confluence with the Loire. Three principal soil types characterize Chinon: gravelly and sandy plains along the Vienne producing lighter, fruit-forward wines for early drinking; hillsides and slopes of yellow tuffeau limestone mixed with clay yielding fuller-bodied, age-worthy wines; and plateaus with clay and sand offering richer tannins and structure. Semi-oceanic climate influenced by Atlantic air currents from the Loire creates mild temperatures with long sunny periods, ideal for Cabernet Franc's development. The temperate conditions and varied soils allow exceptional expression of finesse and the celebrated "taffetas" texture characteristic of top Chinon.
VINIFICATION: Zero sulfites added. Harvesting at optimal maturity followed by gentle destemming and complete sorting. Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Fermentation temperatures carefully controlled to favor expressive, fruity Cabernet Franc character. No sulfur additions at any stage of production. Minimal intervention approach emphasizing pure fruit expression and terroir transparency.
AGING: Maturation in stainless steel tanks until bottling. No oak aging. Bottled in spring following harvest.
TASTING NOTES: Brilliant purple robe showing the wine's vibrant youth. Fresh, dynamic nose dominated by intense red fruit aromatics and floral notes. Pleasant concentration of ripe fruit accented with spice. The palate is round, supple, and fresh with dynamic energy. Light-to-medium body delivers uncomplicated drinking pleasure. Intense fruitiness extends through the palate with fine, discreet tannins adding elegance. Soft, refined texture with lively character. The pure fruit expression showcases the natural qualities of Cabernet Franc without masking from sulfites or oak. Clean, persistent finish with red berry flavors and subtle spice.
FOOD PAIRINGS: Aperitif, summer salads, charcuterie, goat cheese (especially Sainte-Maure de Touraine), grilled fish, light poultry dishes, Asian cuisine.