This rich, wood-aged wine comes from a north-facing vineyard across the Vienne river from Chinon. Its tight tannins are still young as are the red-currant and berry fruits that shine through the structure. This wine obviously needs to age; drink from 2022.

The 2016 Chinon Les Varennes du Grand Clos shows precise, perfectly ripe and concentrated dark fruit, such as spicy blackcurrants, plus discreet oak aromas on the nose. The palate is pure and fresh and reveals fine tannins intertwined with a salty-mineral finish. This is a very promising Cabernet Franc with very nice juiciness.