Domaine de la Chanteleuserie ‘Cuvée Alouettes’ Bourgueil, Loire Valley, France 2024
For seven generations, the Boucard family has tended vines in Bourgueil, crafting Cabernet Franc that reflects both the land and its legacy. Today, Thierry Boucard carries on this lineage in his grandfather’s original cellar, where fermentation still takes place in massive 19th-century oak vats and aging continues in the family’s historic tuffeau caves. Domaine de la Chanteleuserie is known for wines that combine freshness and structure, and “Cuvée Alouettes” is a classic example of the house style—vivid, mineral, and alive with Loire Valley character.
- WINEMAKER: Thierry Boucard
- FARMING: Sustainable
- VARIETY: 100% Cabernet Franc
- TERROIR: Sourced from 8 hectares of vines planted between 1967 and 1980 on a mix of sandy and clay soils. These varied soils, typical of Bourgueil’s mid-slope vineyards, produce wines with both supple fruit and fine, chalky tannins. The cooler Loire climate preserves freshness and aromatic lift, giving the wine its signature tension.
- VINIFICATION: Fermented in traditional large oak vats—many over a century old—where punch-downs are still done by foot, maintaining gentle extraction and preserving varietal purity. After fermentation, the wine is aged in stainless steel cuves to emphasize the bright, youthful side of Cabernet Franc.
- AGING: Aged in stainless steel to retain fruit vibrancy and emphasize purity of terroir.
- TASTING NOTES: Aromas of red currant, cranberry, and black pepper lead into a sleek, medium-bodied palate marked by lively acidity and a fine chalky texture. Notes of licorice and crushed herbs add depth, while the finish remains taut and refreshing—classic Loire Valley Cabernet Franc in its most honest form.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Perfect with charcuterie, roast chicken, grilled sausages, or lentil stew. Serve lightly chilled to highlight its freshness and spice.
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie ‘Cuvée Alouettes’ Bourgueil, Loire Valley, France 2024
For seven generations, the Boucard family has tended vines in Bourgueil, crafting Cabernet Franc that reflects both the land and its legacy. Today, Thierry Boucard carries on this lineage in his grandfather’s original cellar, where fermentation still takes place in massive 19th-century oak vats and aging continues in the family’s historic tuffeau caves. Domaine de la Chanteleuserie is known for wines that combine freshness and structure, and “Cuvée Alouettes” is a classic example of the house style—vivid, mineral, and alive with Loire Valley character.
- WINEMAKER: Thierry Boucard
- FARMING: Sustainable
- VARIETY: 100% Cabernet Franc
- TERROIR: Sourced from 8 hectares of vines planted between 1967 and 1980 on a mix of sandy and clay soils. These varied soils, typical of Bourgueil’s mid-slope vineyards, produce wines with both supple fruit and fine, chalky tannins. The cooler Loire climate preserves freshness and aromatic lift, giving the wine its signature tension.
- VINIFICATION: Fermented in traditional large oak vats—many over a century old—where punch-downs are still done by foot, maintaining gentle extraction and preserving varietal purity. After fermentation, the wine is aged in stainless steel cuves to emphasize the bright, youthful side of Cabernet Franc.
- AGING: Aged in stainless steel to retain fruit vibrancy and emphasize purity of terroir.
- TASTING NOTES: Aromas of red currant, cranberry, and black pepper lead into a sleek, medium-bodied palate marked by lively acidity and a fine chalky texture. Notes of licorice and crushed herbs add depth, while the finish remains taut and refreshing—classic Loire Valley Cabernet Franc in its most honest form.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Perfect with charcuterie, roast chicken, grilled sausages, or lentil stew. Serve lightly chilled to highlight its freshness and spice.