Sebastien David Lisounette Rose' 2018

Lisounette is Sébastien David's first rosé, made from Cinsault and Cabernet Franc grown in Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Loire Valley. Bottled as Vin de France, the blend falls outside the AOC's Cabernet Franc-only rules, giving David freedom to work with Cinsault — a grape that contributes low tannin, aromatic lift, and a light, refreshing structure. The vines sit on the appellation's characteristic soils of sand, gravel, and tuffeau limestone, with the oldest Cabernet Franc on the estate planted during the Second World War era.

In the cellar, David works with whole clusters, ferments with native yeasts using carbonic maceration for approximately 25 days, then lightly presses. The wine is then aged in Nomblot concrete eggs — ovoid vessels that allow consistent lees movement without imparting oak character — before being bottled unfined and unfiltered with no added sulfur.

The result is bone-dry, savory, and distinctly low-intervention: notes of wild cherry, watermelon, and blood orange with a pronounced saline finish. It drinks best well-chilled and is meant for immediate enjoyment rather than cellaring.