La Porte Saint Jean, Saumur Champigny, 2023

This is benchmark Loire Cabernet Franc from Sylvain Dittiere, one of Saumur-Champigny's most talented young growers, who trained with greats like Thierry Germain and Gerard Gauby before founding his organic domaine in 2010. It's 100% Cabernet Franc from a single parcel of organically farmed vines on sand, silt and clay over limestone, fermented with native yeasts and aged in barrel with only minimal sulfur added. Saumur-Champigny is the Loire's home for fresh, vibrant, food-loving Cabernet Franc, and Dittiere's is among the most exciting being made today, all bright fruit and savory, peppery lift. Serve it with a slight chill and it sings.