Chinon: Francis et Françoise Desbourdes 'L'Arpenty' 2018
This delicious Cabernet Franc from Francis Desbourdes is packed full of youthful, berry fruit and was memorably described by Joanna Simon as being like 'liquid summer pudding'.
It has supple tannins that lend it well to light chilling. In short it is a delicious and failsafe crowd-pleaser.
It has supple tannins that lend it well to light chilling. In short it is a delicious and failsafe crowd-pleaser.
Tasting Notes
We've been shipping the Desbourdes family's Chinon 'L'Arpenty', in every vintage, for over 40 years and for a wine made at a relatively northerly latitude its track record of consistent good quality is amazing.
Served lightly chilled, it is a versatile with a range of foods but, traditionally, with goat's cheese.
Chinon has a rich viticultural history. Cabernet Franc is rumoured to have been introduced from Bordeaux by Cardinal Richelieu in1631. Its fame was further enhanced by the writer François Rabelais who was born near Chinon and often wrote of the region. There are extensive plantings in Chinon and production tends to be polarised between large négoçiants and (very small) smallholders. Monsieur Desbourdes is typical of the latter having taken over the vineyard from his late father Raymond.
Served lightly chilled, it is a versatile with a range of foods but, traditionally, with goat's cheese.
Chinon has a rich viticultural history. Cabernet Franc is rumoured to have been introduced from Bordeaux by Cardinal Richelieu in1631. Its fame was further enhanced by the writer François Rabelais who was born near Chinon and often wrote of the region. There are extensive plantings in Chinon and production tends to be polarised between large négoçiants and (very small) smallholders. Monsieur Desbourdes is typical of the latter having taken over the vineyard from his late father Raymond.
Style | Red Wine, Sec, Medium-bodied, Non Sparkling |
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Wine Region | Loire, Chinon |
Grape Variety (Cépage) | Cabernet Franc |
Food & Wine Matching | Goat's Cheese |
Organic | Organic |
Vintage | 2018 |
Cellarage | Drinks well young and responds to short-term ageing. |
Vinification | Grapes are fully de-stalked before a two week alcoholic fermentation. The wine is then stored off its lees in subterranean tanks before a late spring (end of April) bottling. |
Alcohol By Volume (%) | 12.5 |
Producer

Francis Desbourdes
There are extensive plantings in Chinon and production tends to be polarised between large négoçiants and (very small) smallholders. Monsieur Desbourdes is typical of the latter having taken over the vineyard from his late father Raymond. He produces only one wine at l’Arpenty but it is an absolute gem and a stalwart of the Yapp Brothers list.
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Video Revew
Chinon: l'Arpenty - Yapp Brothers One Minute Review
Hannah Crook reviews the Chinon: l'Arpenty, from Francis Desbourdes - a pure Cabernet Franc that Yapp Brothers have been shipping for over forty years. Summer pudding flavours with a cool mineral finish - a medium bodied red wine, ideal with goats cheese.
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