Ripe cherry, chalky, mineral notes, hint of red pepper. Wild yeast fermentation in oak vat and stainless steel. 12 months in olad barrique and foudre.La Noblaie is one of the most historic domaines in Chinon. Wine has been made here for so long that they still use a chalk fermentation vat, dug in to their cellars around the 16th or 17th century. From the top of the Les Chiens-Chiens parcel you can look out across the river to the Chateau de Chinon where Joan of Arc asked Charles VII for the chance to lead his army. This historical context and deep connection to the area, coupled with the dynamic leadership of Jérôme Billard who returned to the estate in 2003 after experience with Chateau Petrus in Pomerol and Dominus in California, has helped the winery to progress without lending a heavy hand to the wines. The estate sits at the highest point of Chinon on predominantly limestone soils with a covering of clay. Vineyards are certified organic and harvest is by hand by the same team every year with very strict triage back at the winery. All fermentations are long and slow on native yeast with the aim of producing wines that showcase the perfect balance of tension and ripeness.