Yannick Amirault Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Les Malgagnes 2020

The original Yannick Amirault parcel is Les Malgagnes, in St Nicolas de Bourgueil, located on the limestone cte, but not quite so far up the slope as the other three limestone lieux-dits which are further along, in Bourgueil. In Les Malgagnes the Amiraults have 2 hectares of vines, split between two parcels, aged on average 50 years. The superficial soils are rich in pale clay, with limestone beneath. Only the fruit from the upper section (above the grassy strip running through the middle of the lieu-dit, if you visit), where the limestone is much closer to the surface, is used for this cuve. It sees a four-week maceration with an levage lasting 12 months in large barrels. In 2015, however, a portion was also aged in three large amphorae. Of these, one was bottled as a special cuve, Les Malgagnes Amphore, while the other was blended with the wine which underwent traditional levage in oak. In subsequent vintages Yannick and Benot have continued to produce these twin cuves, which make for interesting side-by-side comparisons.