From our friend Luc Poullain in the chalky soils of the Touraine, this rosé is equal parts Pinot d’Aunis, Grolleau, Gamay, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Deep, concentrated and grippy – and extremely elegant. Equal parts Cabernet Franc, Côt (Malbec), Gamay, Grolleau, Pineau d’Aunis.
Wine Description
Reviews and Scores
90 Points – “Best Buy” – (2023 vintage review) – Wine Enthusiast, November Issue 2024
Fresh and vibrant, this is a solid rosé. White strawberry blossom and red cherry hug on the nose and picnic on a blanket of red raspberry. Tangerine citrus and white peach infuse the palate supported by tangy acidity. Best Buy. 90 Points — R.S.
“I chose the vines, they didn’t choose me.” — Luc Poullain
Luc Poullain didn’t inherit a domaine — he chose to bring new energy to an established vineyard in Loire Valley, guided by a strong agronomic background and an even stronger desire to create wines that express a singular terroir. After a first career in agricultural consultancy, he made the bold choice to settle in Pouillé (Loir-et-Cher), on the left bank of the Cher, in the early 2000s, driven by a passion for viticulture and a long-standing admiration for Loire Valley whites.
To breathe new life into the Domaine des Échardières outside of any family legacy, Luc quickly established a reputation for precision, resilience, and quality. His vineyards now span roughly 18 hectares, rooted in soils of flinty clay and limestone, ideal for producing vibrant, textured wines. The terroir here offers remarkable freshness and tension, and Luc’s wines — particularly his Sauvignon Blanc and his expressive rosé — reflect both this energy and his deep respect for the land.
Over the years, Luc has steadily refined his approach in both vineyard and cellar, combining agronomic discipline with intuitive winemaking. Farming practices aim to favor soil life and plant balance, with the goal of expressive grapes requiring minimal intervention. In the cellar, gentle pressing, cool fermentations, and time on fine lees help develop wines that are both pure and layered — wines that are Loire in spirit, but Échardières in identity.
The Man Behind the Wines
With a degree in agronomy and years of advising vine growers behind him, Luc’s understanding of terroir is both scientific and sensory. “What I wanted was to create a place, a project, where wine wouldn’t just be the product of a process, but the expression of a landscape.” At the Domaine des Échardières, he works closely with a dedicated team, blending technical insight and hands-on attention. Every decision — from cultivation to bottling — is aimed at preserving the clarity and elegance of his whites and rosé.
His experience and recognized expertise naturally led him to become president of the Touraine Chenonceaux appellation, a position he held for 10 years.
Terroir: Left Bank of the Cher
Located near the village of Pouillé (Loir-et-Cher), the vineyards of the Domaine des Échardières benefit from a unique left-bank terroir along the Cher River — a tributary of the Loire. The soils are a mix of clay-limestone and flint, well-drained and sun-exposed, ideal for cultivating white varieties with tension and aromatic precision. The moderate Loire climate, with its cool nights and sunny days, allows for slow ripening and good natural acidity.
Luc’s wines are rooted in this soil — mineral-driven, lifted, and structured. The Sauvignon Blancs are especially striking: citrus, passion fruit and white flower on the nose, with saline edges and long, clean finishes. Crafted primarily from Gamay and Cabernet, the rosé is now a unique blend of 5 grape varieties, including Grolleau, Pineau d’Aunis and Cot. It offers crisp red berry notes with a dry, textured palate — a wine of summer, built to pair with food or stand on its own.
In the Cellar
Luc keeps his cellar work intentionally minimalist. Fermentations are carried out in stainless steel at low temperatures to retain the freshness of the fruit. Selected cuvées spend extended time on the lees to develop roundness and complexity. Bottling is done without flash or manipulation — the aim is to bottle energy and clarity.
The result: wines that are linear, vibrant, and terroir-driven, faithful to the Loire Valley’s best traditions, yet unmistakably shaped by one man’s vision. The Domaine des Échardières is more than a vineyard — it is the story of a vocation, of soil and science, of choice and conviction.
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