Château de Coulaine
| Vigneron | Jean Bonnaventure |
| Location | Beaumont-en-Véron (Indre-et-Loire) |
| Size of Domaine | 19 ha |
| Terroir | Continental climate with Atlantic influence. Clay-limestone, sandstone on porous chalk bedrock (tuffeau). Southern facing hillsides. 50-110m altitude. |
| Viticulture | Certified organic (Ecocert) |
| View Château de Coulaine wines ↓ |
Château de Coulaine is a historic Chinon estate where the De Bonnaventure family have made wine continuously since 1300. The family live in a flamboyant, Gothic chateau largely built in 1460-70, with additions from the 19th century.
The De Bonnaventures use an incredibly, deep maze of hidden cellars (whose entrance is camouflaged by hanging ivy) for the barrel ageing of their wines. They make a generic cuvée and then four small, specific vineyard cuvées. We have chosen Clos de Turpenay, which interestingly was the only parcel of vineyard in the appellation to survive the plight of phylloxera in the 1870s.
It was this single hectare of vineyard that Jean’s parents Pascale and Etienne inherited in 1988. They were then the first estate in Chinon to become certified for organic viticulture back in 1997. Since Jean took over in 2013, he has continued to work with the same respect for his vines and terroirs.
Château de Coulaine Wines
CHINON 2020
Clos de Turpenay
100% Cabernet Franc
100% Cabernet Franc (13.5% alc.)
This comes from 30 to 60yo vines planted high on a due south-facing hillside in a soil of sand, limestone and yellow 'millarge' (soil derived from underlying shell-rich sands). Fermented in cuve and aged in 4-5yo 400ltr barrels, this age-worthy Chinon has notable red fruit aromas that lead to a palate with a marked saline/mineral flavour due to the limestone bedrock. Amazing structure here with ripe tannins and beautiful length. For drinking now to 2030+.