Domaine-Yannick-Amirault

Domaine Yannick Amirault

France, Loire

Yannick Amirault took over three and a half hectares of vines from his grandfather 30 years ago, and today with his son Benoit works 12 hectares in Bourgeuil and 7 in St-Nicholas-de-Bourgeuil. The vineyards have been worked organically for 15 years and have been certified Organic since 2014. The family are seriously talented in the cellar and not shy of trying new things - the new Malgagnes cuvée which ages in their special Jarres are testament to this. Everything is hand harvested and hard work in the vineyards means only the very best fruit is brought in. Only natural yeasts are used, with fermentations being allowed as long as they need. These wines are crisp and bright with a dramatic purity - made as naturally as possible but without having any unsatisfactory 'natural' traits. Incredible quality here avross the range.

This has long been one of my favorite estates of the central Loire. Since inheriting the property from his father, Yannick Amirault has transformed it into one of the most respected producers of cabernet franc in France. As he is such a quiet gentleman, I have always wondered why he has a cannon for a logo. Was he once a rebel? That role should now fall to his son, Benoit, but the two work so harmoniously together that it is hard to imagine him driving without a cause like James Dean. Both show great respect for nature, keeping their intervention in both vineyard and cellar to a minimum. Not surprisingly, the wines display a harmony and purity not often found elsewhere. In any given year, their Petite Cave is regularly one of my calls for the best Loire Valley cabernet franc of the vintage. Anyone serious about cabernet franc should search out these wines. They are currently the benchmarks by which others are measured. Joel B. Payne, Vinous (www.vinousmedia.com) (Dec 2014)


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