Domaine Andrée - Carbone 2020
Domaine Andrée, founded by Stéphane Erissé in Saint Cyr-en-Bourg, has established itself as a major name in Anjou for precision reds. The vines are meticulously managed, the soils are finely worked, and the yields are contained to promote the pure expression of Cabernet Franc. The search for balance guides every choice from the vineyard to the winery, delivering vibrant, clear wines that are perfect for the table.
Carbone 2020 comes from the dark slopes of Anjou, whose carbon-rich schists inspired the cuvée's name. A generous and luminous vintage, hand-picked and meticulously sorted. Spontaneous fermentations after majority destemming, gentle extractions to preserve the grain. Long aging in barrels used for several wines, then resting in the bottle, without artifice, to let the graphite structure and Loire freshness speak for themselves. Limited production, some magnum formats reserved for those who like to keep it.
The nose opens with blackberry and blackcurrant, underscored by violet, crushed leaf, and a signature flint. The palate is straight and juicy, carried by chiseled tannins that coat a heart of black fruits and morello cherry. The mid-palate gains depth with a touch of fine cocoa and sweet licorice. The finish stretches long on smoky and saline accents, precise, fresh, with a return of graphite that signs the terroir.
At the table, serve Carbone 2020 with a roast veal chop, pink squab, confit lamb shoulder, or pikeperch with bacon and a short jus. A clear regional pairing with a mature Anjou goat cheese. Serve at 15 to 16°C in a wide-mouthed glass. Open one hour before serving or gently decant to soften the structure. The wine can be enjoyed now and will gain complexity over eight to ten years in the cellar.
Grape varieties: 100% Cabernet Franc
