2023 Yannick Amirault Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil La Source, Loire Valley

This is the entry-level cuvée from this appellation, the fruit fermented in stainless steel cuve with two or three weeks of maceration, followed by five months élevage in a 60-hectolitre tronconic cuve. This is fresh and expressive on the nose, very Cabernet Franc, with layers of cranberry and redcurrant, pure and bright. There follows a supple, polished and charming palate, with nicely balanced fruit and acidity, and barely a lick of tannin showing through. Charming, fragrant and perfumed, with a lovely sense of freshness, and nothing overdone. This will be drinking well within a year or two. The alcohol is about 13%.

90 points thewinedoctor.com

Yannick Amirault Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil La Source is a vibrant and soulful expression of Cabernet Franc from one of the Loire Valley’s most respected organic growers. Sourced from the sandy gravel terraces near the village of Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, this cuvée is the domaine’s early-drinking bottling, prized for its purity, perfume and effortless drinkability.

The Amirault family has farmed these lands since the 1930s, but it was Yannick who truly raised the domaine’s reputation in the 1980s. Now joined by his son Benoît, the estate is run with a deep respect for the land, certified organic, with all work done by hand in the vineyard and minimal intervention in the cellar. The La Source parcel is typically the first picked and reflects the lighter soils of the region, producing a wine that’s lifted, juicy and immensely drinkable.

Fermentation is done with native yeasts in wooden vats, followed by ageing in large neutral oak foudres for several months. There’s no fining or filtration, and sulfur is used sparingly.

La Source opens with bright red cherry, wild raspberry and crushed violets, underpinned by hints of graphite, green peppercorn and Loire Valley freshness. The palate is medium-bodied and supple, with gentle tannins and a mineral-driven line that makes it feel energetic and savoury. There’s a purity and clarity to the fruit that’s unmistakably Amirault.

This is a red made for bistro fare—grilled sausages, lentils with duck confit, roast eggplant or charcuterie with cornichons. Best enjoyed slightly chilled, it sings in youth but will hold well over 3 to 5 years.