Olga Raffault is a classic estate based in the Loire Valley.  It has been in operation since the 40's and is still family owned and operated.  Olga's granddaughter and her husband took over the estate 10 years ago and still uphold the traditional practices.  Les Picasses is their best site, with 50 year old Cabernet France vines, south facing.  The wines are ageable and long lived.  

The fruit is destemmed and the whole, uncrushed berries are fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tank; fermentation and maceration last for 25-30 days, depending on the vintage. The wine is aged for 2-3 years in oak and chestnut foudres ranging from 30-50 hectoliters; it is then further aged in tank and bottle before release about four years after the vintage.

Notes on the Vintage from John Gilman, View from the Cellar:

The 2007 les Picasses from Domaine Raffault has reached a fine point to start drinking at age ten, as it offers up secondary layers of complexity on both the nose and palate at the present time. The bouquet is a fine blend of cassis, a touch of saddle leather, tree bark, porcini, dark soil tones and a topnote of cigar smoke. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and stylish, with a wide open personality, melted tannins and a long, complex and focused finish that closes with a gentle note of road tar. Fine juice that is just entering its plateau of peak maturity. (Drink between 2017-2035)

Grape: Cabernet Franc 

Soil: Gravel, clay-limestone

Viticulture: Certified Organic