Château du Petit Thouars: Tasting & Drinking
When I first encountered the wines of Château du Petit Thouars I felt the style leant towards the classic and restrained, perhaps even a little strict, with very gentle texture, vibrant acidity but also a rather relaxed tannic structure. They do not display the breadth or generosity we might associate with the appellation leaders such as Philippe Alliet or Bernard Baudry, and they have much more in common with the traditional styles that typify the portfolios at Couly-Dutheil or Pierre et Bertrand Couly. These were wines that seemed to major on fruit and juicy freshness rather than anything more grave.
Having said that, the wines seemed popular with the locals and there is no doubt that carving up the portfolio into a variety of early-drinking, intermediate and more ageworthy styles has helped the appeal of the wines of Château du Petit Thouars. The extensive use of press wine to define the blends is certainly distinctive.
Leaving it a few years, and returning to the wines in more recent times, I have been impressed by the advances made by Sébastien and D’Arcy, not to mention their new winemaker Clément Curet. The vineyard has been augmented with a parcel of Chenin Blanc of decent size, and the resulting wine is worthwhile. Meanwhile the focus, freshness and definition found within the reds has also improved, with some recent vintages showing seriously seductive appeal, with dark and defined juicy fruits.
This remains an interesting domaine to watch. There is dynamism and enthusiasm from the proprietors, and it seems to me that this is still a domaine on the way up. I wish Sébastien and D’Arcy good luck for future vintages, all within the Chinon appellation of course. (28/11/18, updated 27/8/26)
