X Rouge
Les Jardins de la Martinière (Loire)
Cabernet Franc • 2014
This cuvée was vinified by previous domaine owner Xavier Caillard of Les Jardins Esméraldins made with grapes from a 70-year old parcel with south-east facing exposure. The fruit saw 10 days of whole bunch maceration with a few punchdowns, with the pressed juice then ageing for 4 years in stainless steel before transferring into barrel for a further 4 years. Les Jardins de la Martinière, in consultation with Xavier, decided to bottle the cuvée in 2022. A deep and brooding expression of Cabernet Franc which has evolved gracefully with the patient élevage. Layers of earth and dried dark fruits have integrated beautifully with the barrel ageing, and although this is wonderful straight from the bottle, we recommend a short decant as a little air really brings it to life.
