2021 Domaine du Bel Air (Gauthier), Bourgueil, Marsaules

The 2021 Domaine du Bel Air (Gauthier) Bourgueil, Marsaules, is a pure expression of Cabernet Franc, known locally as "Breton," from the Loire Valley's esteemed Bourgueil AOC, with the challenging 2021 vintage contributing a vibrant freshness and aromatic clarity to its profile.  This single-site cuvée originates from the "Les Marsaules" vineyard, where 60-year-old vines thrive in a distinctive terroir of sand and micaceous chalk, imparting unique depth and elegance.Under the meticulous care of Pierre and Rodolphe Gauthier, a fifth-generation, certified organic estate, the wine undergoes traditional fermentation with native yeasts and extended aging in used oak barrels.  This dedication to authentic winemaking and the unique Marsaules terroir yields a Bourgueil that beautifully balances the grape's inherent character with the nuanced structure and pure fruit expression defined by the cooler 2021 growing season.