Today is one of those... "How can this wine be so pure, so clean, so charismatic, and so simply delicious, yet sell for just fifteen bucks" emails.

Juicy, peppery, crisp and oh-so-clean, this 2023 Saumur-Champigny from Éric and Léo Charruau is a real wine made by real people, and it could not be more charming.

Light red and black fruit flavors are perfectly paired with classic green herbal notes, nervy chalk minerality and a fresh, lifted finish. It is perfect Cabernet Franc and, thanks to it coming from a small father and son estate in central France, the price is ridiculously good.

Read on for our super-excited tasting notes on this $14.99 beauty, and for details on a mouthwatering 2024 Rosé of Cab Franc from another Loire Valley family, then hit that Big Yellow Button to get these wines into your life!

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2023 Domaine du Valbrun "Bois Pivain"
Saumur-Champigny, Loire Valley, France
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Valbrun owner Éric Charruau and his son Léo craft classic Loire Cabernet Franc from their sustainably farmed vines in Saumur-Champigny. They work their limestone soiled vineyards with great care, embracing biodynamic principles and have earned organic certification.

The “Bois Pivain” bottling that we bring you today comes from 40 year old vines growing between rows of natural grasses, plants, and herbs that provide diversity to the soil. The result is a charming red that is EXTREMELY well done. One look, one deep breath, and one taste, confirms simple, delicious, everyday perfection!

From the first sip, you'll find classic Loire Valley Cab Franc flavors of juicy black raspberry, wild strawberries, white pepper, arugula, limestone, clay, and muted red flowers. The wine’s medium body glides with ease, offering layered earth and fruit flavors, and finishing with taut, yummy energy and easy tannins.

We can’t wait to serve it, slightly chilled, to friends with sausages, burgers, fish, pasta - anything! This is the kind of red that literally works with everything. Vive the “other” Cabernet. Vive Loire Valley Cabernet Franc! 

Looking online we found just two listing for this gem, both in France. This wonderfully joy-giving red rarely makes it out of its home country, and is the kind of wine that epitomizes the Vin Chicago experience. Truly great stuff here at a silly great price.

Vin Chicago Price: 14.99

Loire Valley Cabernet Franc Rosé!

2024 Domaine les Pins "L'Instant" Rosé
Bourgueil, Loire Valley, France
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Fifth generation vigneron Maxime Pitault, under the watchful eyes of his father and uncle, is quietly making one of our favorite Cabernet Franc Rosés at his family vineyards in Bourgueil. Not only is this one of our favorite Cabernet Franc pink wines, it is one of our favorite Rosés from ANY grape!

This tangy dry Rosé gives subtle ripe cherry and watermelon fruits with hints of bell pepper and white stones, all atop a lively, medium-weight frame. Fun and mouthwateringly zippy, it drinks excellent by itself and with all kinds of fare - super versatile!

We love Provence pinks, but they get pricey fast. This wine is priced right, worthy of graduation parties, weddings, or Sunday afternoon chill time. Grab a case and be ready for summer!

Vin Chicago Price: 14.99