Épaulé Jeté — Bourgueil Cabernet Franc

Domaine Catherine & Pierre Breton — Bourgueil, Loire Valley (France)

Northern France is home to some of the most elegant and finessed wines on the planet, and among them, Bourgueil stands as a spiritual home for Cabernet Franc. Often described as the granddaddy of French grapes, Cabernet Franc is one of the oldest known varieties in France, and the genetic parent of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carménère. When it’s grown in the Loire Valley—especially in Bourgueil—it shows a lifted, precise, savory expression rarely matched elsewhere.

One of my favourite producers in the region is Domaine Catherine & Pierre Breton, a benchmark estate working organic and biodynamic with a philosophy rooted in natural winemaking and terroir transparency.

Their cuvée “Épaulé Jeté”—French for clean and jerk, a nod to hoisting and elevating the wine—captures Cabernet Franc at its purest.

Tasting Notes

Appearance
Medium ruby.

Nose
Medium-plus intensity with layered aromas of:

• black raspberry, black currant, plum
• tobacco, dried leaves, black pepper
• subtle herbal tones of thyme and oregano

Palate
These notes follow through seamlessly from nose to palate, creating a cohesive, complex profile. The wine remains fruit-forward yet earthy, with a distinctly Loire-Valley savouriness.

Structure

The balance here is outstanding: fruit, tannin, acidity, and alcohol are all in harmony. No oak influence means the grape and site are front and centre.

Style & Identity

What stands out most is how clean, lifted, and precise this wine is. It’s not trying to impress with power—this is Cabernet Franc speaking in its native dialect, with authenticity over flashiness. The natural winemaking and biodynamic farming add energy without veering into funkiness; it’s polished but alive.

This is a bottle that reminds you why Cabernet Franc deserves more reverence.

Final Thoughts

Score: 17/20 — Highly recommended.

If you find a bottle, buy it. Better yet, buy two: one to enjoy now for its vibrancy, and one to cellar and watch evolve.

A brilliant example of Bourgueil and a masterclass in varietal purity.