Frederic Mabileau Bourgueil 'Les Racines' 2020

Bourgueil ‘Les Racines’ is made from 100% Cabernet Franc grown on clay and gravel soils. The 1 ha plot was planted by Frederic’s Grandfather and the average age of the vines is now 47 years. It is an effortlessly silky wine with amazing purity and finesse. There is a distinct floral note to the wine along with dark fruit, damson and cassis notes. Cedar and sandalwood notes follow which are perfectly integrated and balanced with the fruit. Really good!

Based in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, in the Loire Valley’s Touraine region, Frederic Mabileau is a 28ha estate which has emerged over the last 20 years as one of the world’s greatest producers of Cabernet Franc. The Domaine has been run by Frederic’s wife, Natalie and her two sons, Charly & Remy since the tragic passing of Frederic in August 2020.

Frederic planted his first vines in the late 1980’s in the ‘Rouilleres’ vineyard which was owned by Natalie. Here he farmed the grapes for the ‘Rouilleres’ cuvee and later Eclipse. After his dad retired in 2003, Frederic combined his Domaine with his dad's which gave him vineyard holdings in St Nicolas de Bourgueil, Bourgueil, Saumur and Anjou. The Domaine has been certified Organic since 2007 and Biodynamic since 2018. These are some of the most pure and complex expressions of Cabernet Franc we have come across. They are a testament to the love and hard work which Frederic put into his vineyards.

The new cellar and winery were finished in 2020 complete with a fantastic restaurant called Chez Odette. Remy has expanded the range over the past few years also with the introduction of FRED, a wine dedicated to his late father and made using carbonic maceration. He has also ventured into the world of ancestral method sparkling wine, or Pet’ Nat to you crazy young kids, with a Chenin Blanc and Pineau d’Aunis version.