Chinon Cuvées Domaine de la Noblaie 2017 Pre Mixed Case

Young Jérôme Billard trained with Moueix in Bordeaux and California, and later in New Zealand, before returning to the family’s Loire estate, Domaine de la Noblaie, with a fresh outlook but a great respect for the integrity of Chinon’s grape, cabernet franc, which he farms organically. This case showcases two bottles each of three of his best cuvées from the fine 2017 vintage. ‘Pierre de Tuf’ comes from two parcels of vines planted over 70 years ago and is fermented in Jérome’s 15th century tuffeau vat. ‘Les Blancs Manteaux’ may take its name from the white cloaks (manteaux) of the medieval Knights Templar who once owned the land or the pale, chalky soils in which the vines (average age 65 years) are planted. The vines of ‘Chiens Chiens’ are 30 years of age, but the origin of the name is somewhat obscure. What is in no way obscure is the excellence of the wines.