Pascal et Alain Lorieux
64 avenue Saint Vincent, 37140 Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil
« Pascal and Alain Lorieux embody the very best of understated, meticulous family craftsmanship, mastering Cabernet Franc with remarkable finesse across two of Tourain… »
About the Winery
Pascal and Alain Lorieux embody the very best of understated, meticulous family craftsmanship, mastering Cabernet Franc with remarkable finesse across two of Touraine's greatest appellations. What immediately captivates in the glass is the vibrant precision of the fruit and the uncompromised authenticity of each cuvée. In Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, the Agnès Sorel bottling enchants with its bright garnet hue and complex bouquet of wild blackberry, Morello cherry, and peony, carried on the palate by silky tannins and a refined, lingering saline edge. In Chinon, the Thélème cuvée, grown on chalky tuffeau bedrock, delivers breathtaking sophistication: aromas of crushed raspberries, graphite, and mild licorice unfold with poise, showing impressive structure and eight to ten years of aging potential. These sincere, pure, and gracefully aged wines pair brilliantly with roast pigeon, duck terrine, or aged Saint-Nectaire cheese. A benchmark estate for savoring the true, unadorned expression of Loire Valley Cabernet Franc.
Visiting the Winery
Featured Wines
The estate's portfolio showcases the purity and geological variety of Cabernet Franc through meticulous plot-by-plot vinifications. In Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, the Expression cuvée reveals an airy, supple, and fruit-driven profile born from sandy soils, while the Agnès Sorel and Les Mauguerets-La Contrie bottlings draw from gravel terraces to offer richer texture, firm structure, and great elegance. Over in Chinon, the Expression cuvée draws energy from high flint-clay plateaus, whereas the prestigious Thélème cuvée roots into chalky tuffeau limestone slopes, yielding distinctive mineral depth and superb aging potential. A crisp, appetizing Chinon rosé rounds out this genuine range with floral charm.
Activities
Welcoming guests at Pascal and Alain Lorieux focuses on warm hospitality and firsthand sharing of the vigneron's craft. Wine lovers are hosted by appointment either at the Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil tasting cellar or at the historic Cravant-les-Coteaux facility, nestled against the hillside with its traditional tuffeau rock cellar. The visit offers an intimate perspective on vineyard care throughout the seasons, parcel-based selections, and native yeast vinification. An engaging guided tasting walks guests through the sensory contrasts and distinct textures of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil and Chinon, providing a truly authentic family experience.
