Bejon Cabernet Franc Les Bournais 2020

Claire and Florent Bejon are natural winemakers based in the Loire Valley of France, specifically in the village of Saint-Germain-sur-Vienne, just west of Chinon. They farm five hectares of vines, spread across small parcels on either bank of the Vienne River. Their vineyards are organically farmed, and the vines, averaging around fifty years old, grow on soils rich in clay, limestone, and silex (flint). This unique combination gives their wines a distinctive structure and minerality.

The terroir of the Loire Valley, particularly in this region, is known for producing some of the best Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc in France. The Bejons work with these varieties, crafting wines that emphasize purity and expression of the land. Their vineyard work is deeply rooted in biodynamic principles, allowing wild flora to thrive between the vines and handling the vineyard work manually.

They follow a minimal-intervention philosophy in the cellar, with gentle maceration and élevage (aging) in a mix of old barrels, demijohns, and amphorae. This hands-off approach allows the wines to develop naturally without adding sulfites, resulting in vibrant, lively wines with a clean, natural taste.

Their wines, particularly Cabernet Franc, are known for their finesse and freshness, often described as light and aromatic, reminiscent of the best Beaujolais wines. These wines reflect the terroir of the Loire Valley beautifully, offering both complexity and drinkability

The Loire Valley wine region in central France is renowned for its diverse range of wine styles, significantly influenced by its extensive geographic spread and the variable climates within its boundaries. This region, often called the "Garden of France," stretches over 800 kilometers from the Atlantic coast in the west to the center of France in the east, encompassing several distinct wine-producing areas along the Loire River.

The region produces excellent Sauvignon Blanc, with the appellations of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé particularly prestigious for their expressive, mineral-driven styles. Chenin Blanc is another key variety, central to the wines of Vouvray and Anjou, which are used to make everything from dry to sweet and even sparkling wines. Muscadet, near the Atlantic coast, focuses on the Melon de Bourgogne grape, producing crisp, saline wines that pair excellently with seafood.

In addition to white wines, the Loire Valley produces reds and rosés, primarily from Cabernet Franc. This grape thrives in the appellations of Chinon, Bourgueil, and Saumur-Champigny, producing wines known for their floral aromas and crisp acidity. These wines often exhibit a characteristic freshness and are typically consumed young.

The region's climate varies from maritime in the west, which provides a cooling influence ideal for Muscadet, to a more continental climate in the east, which supports the ripening of Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc. This climatic variation, coupled with the diverse array of terroirs, from chalky limestone to flinty clay, allows the Loire Valley to produce wines that are both diverse and highly reflective of their specific locales.