Back in the 1930s when the French government was creating the Chinon AOC, Château du Petit Thouars' home village, Saint-Germain-sur-Vienne, was supposed to be part of the appellation. It's right on the Chinon/Saumur-Champigny border, plum between the two greatest Loire terroirs for Cabernet Franc.

It was more than worthy of the appellation. But Saint-Germain-sur-Vienne's producers thought the Touraine name was the better bet (it was the more famous, then) so they opted out of Chinon.

Big mistake.

Petit Thouars' children and grandchildren have suffered lower incomes ever since. Then, in 2012, the laws changed again. The Touraine police outlawed 100% Cabernet Franc wines. Don't ask us why. They just did. So the Château went back on hands and knees to ask the Chinon authorities if they would admit them. From 2015, they have been able to call their wines Chinon. That's "new."

Laws come and go, but terroir doesn't abide by boundaries or legislation. Saint-Germain's terroir is what it has always been: less sandy than you find in most of Chinon, closer to the clay-limestone mix that creates those seducing Saumurs. But our favorite Chinon often have limestone below their feet as well.

Add it all up and you have a terrific, bistro styled Cabernet Franc that is priced nice for everyday consumption

What importer Rosenthal Wine Merchant has to say about this wine...

“L’Epée”—meaning “the sword”—is produced from ⅔ free-run and ⅓ press juice from the oldest Cabernet Franc vines in “Les Plantes” and a small portion of “Le Clos.” Fermentation is left to start naturally in stainless steel tanks, lasting for about 3 weeks, then aged in a combination of steel tank and well-used oak barrels. With deep aromatics, this wine displays a register of spice with an overlay of violets and a core of dark-red and black fruits. That said, L’Epée” does not want for lift, as the acidity is crisp and ringing and its overall personality—while indeed serious—is not at all brooding or severe. This is a remarkably classic, lovable Chinon whose ruggedness suggests it will age well.