Francis Desbourdes

Francis Desbourdes

There are extensive plantings in Chinon and production tends to be polarised between large négoçiants and (very small) small-holders, the Desbourdes family being one of the latter. Yapp Brothers have been importing ‘L’Arpenty’ since 1971; writer Joanna Simon commenting "...‘I've enjoyed a lot of vintages of the Desbourdes family's l'Arpenty Chinon over the years." Now mostly run by grandson Emilien, whose father Francis is still involved. Their most important wine in volume terms is their Cabernet Franc from gravel terraces overlooking the river, which is an absolute gem and a stalwart of the Yapp Brothers list.