Producer >
Family run for 180 years, Xavier and Agnès Amirault are the latest generation to biodynamically farm 37 ha across 53 parcels in Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil on the border of the Anjou and Touraine regions. The vineyards face south on gentle slopes and are made up of gravel, sand and clay over limestone. Cabernet Franc, locally known as ‘Breton’ is the dominant variety and in the winery Xavier adopts a pragmatic approach using both cement tanks and open top wooden casks for fermenting and both tanks and demi-muids for ageing. The emphasis here is firmly on elegance and finesse and in spite of their drinkability when young, they also age tremendously well.
Viticulture >
The estate biodynamically farms 37 hecatres of vineyard across 53 parcels in Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil on the border of the Anjou and Touraine regions. The vineyards face south on gentle slopes and are made up of gravel, sand and clay over limestone. Cabernet Franc, locally known as ‘Breton’ is the dominant variety. Harvesting is done by hand.
Winemaking >
Grape variety : Cabernet franc 100%
Soil : Mainly gravel and silty clay, with some limestone
Farming methods : this wine is certified organic (by
Ecocert in 2012) and biodynamic (by Demeter in 2013).
Harvest : From all plots of vines on the estate (average
age 55 years old), the grapes are harvested by hand
when they are fully mature. They are sorted on the vine
and at the storehouse.
Production : the grapes macerate in the concrete tank
for 3 to 5 weeks.
Ageing : 12 to 18 months in demi-muids (500 litre
barrels from Atelier centre France and Saury), 25% of
which are renewed each year.
Cabernet Franc
13
FRANCE
6
Cork
Amirault Vignerons
Organic
Biodynamic
Vegan
Vegetarian 
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