Description
The vineyard of the Domaine Frédéric Mabileau is established since 1620 and covers in total 27 ha in production. It is established mainly in the wine-growing town of Saint-Nicolas-de Bourgueil and produces wines in Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil, Bourgueil, Touraine, Saumur Blanc and Anjou appellations. This terroir is located between Indre-et-Loire and Maine-et-Loire. Frédéric Mabileau has been managing this winery since 1988 and leads his vineyard according to the rules of organic farming from 2007. For the 2015 Racines vintage, the grape varieties are planted on a terrace corresponding to the old river bed of the Loire, in Chouzé-sur-Loire, placed on the soil of Bourgueil. The vineyards of the estate are mostly grown on gently sloping land. For maximum quality, this domaine opts for organic farming in 2007. Since then, the Frédéric Mabileau domaine is certified ECOCERT.
The Cabernet Franc grape variety reigns over the sandy-gravelly terroir of the Frédéric Mabileau estate (Cabernet Sauvignon is the secondary grape variety). On the gently sloping hillsides of this part of the Loire Valley, grapes are developed giving structured and opulent wines, while the more clayey soils – like those of Bourgueil – lead to more chaby wines. Frédéric’s vine plants are 35 to 50 years old, and are the source of wines with floral and fruity notes.
At the harvest, the grapes are picked by hand and sorted on the table, before being destemmed. This method preserves the intrinsic characteristics of the grapes until they are put into the vat. The result is a wine that is more chaby, balanced, supple and concentrated. This area is distinguished by the expressiveness of the well-colored Cabernet Franc, very aromatic, woody and oily. Starting in 2003, Frédéric Mabibeau redesigned his wines and the Cabernet Franc became more elegant, which was enough to incrlase the popularity of his winery.
