Dom Jean-Maurice Raffault Chinon Les Picasses

Dom Jean-Maurice Raffault Chinon Les Picasses is a 100% Cabernet Franc red wine from Chinon in the Loire Valley, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Sourced from one of Chinon's most distinguished vineyard sites, this cuvée earned 91 points from Wine Spectator on its 2015 vintage, praised for its "tight beam of red currant and bitter cherry fruit flanked by a frank minerality."

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Chinon, Loire Valley, France  |  Varietal: 100% Cabernet Franc  |  Domaine: Jean-Maurice Raffault

Production & Heritage

Domaine Jean-Maurice Raffault is a benchmark Chinon estate situated in the Touraine district of the Loire Valley. The Les Picasses vineyard sits on a plateau at the summit of the hills overlooking the Vienne River — the highest point between the Vienne and Loire — planted on stony limestone and clay soils. The vineyard's name derives from a two-pointed tool ("pics") historically used to work vines in this rocky terrain. Grapes are destemmed and undergo spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Malolactic fermentation occurs in cask, followed by 18 months of aging in three-to-ten-year-old barriques resting on fine lees. Maturation takes place inside vast caves carved into the limestone cliffs, naturally protected from light and held at a constant 56°F with 85% humidity — conditions that allow slow, even development of the wine's tannic structure and aromatic complexity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Intensely perfumed, opening with fragrant black cherry and kirsch before unfolding into layers of wild blackberry, crushed florals, and anise. Beneath the fruit sits a persistent mineral undertone laced with light smoke and dried thyme.

Taste: The palate entry is focused and structural, with medium-plus body carrying concentrated dark plum, ripe red currant, and bitter cherry flavors. At mid-palate, red licorice and savory pimento notes emerge, framed by chewy, gritty tannins that pull the wine across the tongue with real grip. Brilliant acidity keeps every element in tension.

Finish: Long and energetic, with lingering peppercorn, rosemary, and mineral salts that echo well after the last sip. The tannins remain firm but finely integrated, lending a textural persistence that rewards patience.

How to Drink Les Picasses

This is a wine built for thoughtful drinking — serve it slightly below room temperature (around 60–64°F) and consider decanting younger vintages for 30 to 60 minutes to let the tannins soften and the aromatics fully develop. Older vintages reward careful pouring straight from the bottle. While primarily a wine to enjoy at the table, Les Picasses also works in a Sangria Roja built around dark fruit and citrus, where its tannic spine holds up against sweetness. It can anchor a Mulled Wine in cooler months, its herbal and spice notes amplifying warm-spice additions. For a lighter approach, use it in a classic Wine Spritzer with sparkling water and a twist of orange peel to highlight its floral and cherry aromatics.

Best For

• Cellaring alongside other age-worthy Loire reds for medium- to long-term development
• Pairing with a slow-cooked or grilled red meat dinner party
• Gifting a Cabernet Franc enthusiast or Loire Valley devotee
• Exploring the terroir-driven side of Chinon beyond introductory cuvées

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Les Picasses taste like? Les Picasses delivers concentrated black cherry, dark plum, and kirsch flavors layered with mineral, peppercorn, and savory herbal notes. It is a structured, medium-plus bodied wine with firm, chewy tannins and vibrant acidity.

How does Les Picasses compare to Charles Joguet Chinon Clos de la Dioterie? Both are top-tier, single-vineyard Chinon Cabernet Francs built for aging, but Les Picasses tends toward a more overtly mineral, chalky structure shaped by its high-altitude limestone plateau, while Clos de la Dioterie often shows a slightly richer, more concentrated fruit profile from its hillside exposition. Both producers are regarded as benchmarks of the Chinon appellation.

Is Les Picasses good for cellaring? Yes — its firm tannic backbone, bright acidity, and concentrated fruit make it a strong candidate for medium- to long-term aging, with well-stored bottles developing additional complexity over 8 to 15 years depending on the vintage.

Where is Les Picasses made? Les Picasses is produced by Domaine Jean-Maurice Raffault in Chinon, within the Touraine district of the Loire Valley, France. The vineyard occupies the highest plateau between the Vienne and Loire Rivers, and the wine is aged in caves carved into the local limestone cliffs.

What foods pair well with Les Picasses? Grilled lamb chops work exceptionally well, as the herbal notes in the wine mirror classic rosemary and thyme seasonings. Slow-braised beef or pork rillettes from the Loire tradition complement its tannic structure. Duck confit echoes the wine's dark fruit intensity. Aged goat cheeses like Sainte-Maure de Touraine provide a regional pairing with contrasting acidity. Roasted root vegetables with earthy spices highlight the wine's mineral and savory side.

What sizes does Les Picasses come in? Les Picasses is commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Les Picasses worth the price? Les Picasses positions as a premium single-vineyard Chinon, priced above the domaine's entry-level cuvées but competitive within the broader category of serious, terroir-driven Cabernet Francs from the Loire. Its 18-month aging regimen, indigenous yeast fermentation, and unique vineyard site justify the step up for anyone seeking complexity beyond everyday Chinon.

Why Les Picasses?

What separates this bottling from the broader Raffault range — and from most Chinon on the market — is its specific vineyard site: a windswept limestone plateau at the appellation's highest elevation, producing a wine of uncommon mineral intensity. The use of spontaneous fermentation and extended aging on fine lees in naturally climate-controlled limestone caves adds layers of textural and aromatic nuance that few Chinon producers match at this level. A 91-point score from Wine Spectator confirms the wine's critical standing, and its firm but refined tannic architecture gives it genuine aging potential. For anyone seeking a benchmark expression of what Loire Cabernet Franc can achieve on great terroir, Les Picasses delivers substance and specificity that reward attention.