16/20 Bettane & Desseave 16/20 Jancis Robinson 100% cabernet franc, Organic, aromas of cherries, pepper, spice, earthy notes. Full-bodied, structured, medium acidity, well-rounded tannins, made with finesse. The grapes come from their oldest vines, planted in 1943. They are hand-harvested, de-stemmed, and macerated for 25 to 35 days, then aged for 24 months in 400 litre used French oak barrels. Bottled at the château. Drinking well now and will cellar through 2033. Established 300 years ago by Pierre Vatan, this 20-hectare Organic domaine in Dampierre-sur-Loire, is currently run by Philippe Vatan and Yann Lelias. They make, age, bottle and store their wine in troglodyte caves (dug into the rock in the 12th C) that maintain a perfect constant temperature of 12°C. Vatan’s wines get great reviews from critics and amateurs alike for their refined elegance. Shipped from France