Founded in 1921, Couly-Dutheil is probably the best Chinon producer that you’ve never heard of. Their wines remain under-the-radar, and the quality-to-price ratio is still, very high, after all the years. This bottling is sourced from impressively old, estate vines (80-100 years) of Cabernet Franc. With its grand southern exposure and crannies of limestone and clay, Clos de L’Olive is a terrior gem within the Cravant-Les-Coteaux, Chinon’s best sub-region. Naturally fermented for thirty days, this is a Chinon for those who like over-the-top textural wines with a silky appeal. In the glass, big aromas of wild cherry, plum skin, and sweet framboise unfold into those classic Cabernet Franc perks: purple flowers, pink spice, white stone, and green palms. The palate is plush and decadent, driven by a creamy acidity and powered by the concentration of old vines. ~AA