Domaine Olga Raffault

Domaine Olga Raffault has roots in Chinon dating back five generations, with the original parcels in the family since 1928. The estate took its current name from Olga Raffault, who built the modern reputation of the domaine through the second half of the twentieth century. Following her death, the estate has been run by her granddaughter Sylvie Raffault and her husband Eric de la Vigerie, who have continued the long-aging traditionalist approach that Olga established. The continuity of the Les Picasses identity, anchored in the same approach across multiple decades, is part of what makes the estate one of the most-cited reference Chinon producers in international markets, alongside Bernard Baudry, Charles Joguet, and Philippe Alliet.

• Original parcels in the Raffault family since 1928; five generations of wine-growing
• Estate took its current name from Olga Raffault, who built the modern reputation in the second half of the 20th century
• Currently run by Olga's granddaughter Sylvie Raffault and her husband Eric de la Vigerie
• Continuity of approach across decades has built the estate's reputation among international Chinon references

Olga Raffault is the largest vineyard holder in Les Picasses, with approximately 7 hectares of the 24-hectare lieu-dit, making the estate the dominant producer of cru-named bottlings from the site. Les Picasses sits on a fairly steep slope rising from the Vienne riverbank, with alluvial clay over a chalk limestone base providing the conditions for the dense, structured Cabernet Franc that has become the estate's flagship. The vines are old, averaging 50 years or more, with the deep root systems that contribute to the wine's mineral concentration. Beyond Les Picasses, the estate works other Chinon parcels for the Chinon Rouge and Rosé bottlings, plus the 1-hectare Chenin Blanc planting for Chinon Blanc. The 24-hectare total is mid-sized for Chinon and supports a focused range rather than the broader négociant-style portfolios common in the appellation.

• Largest vineyard holder in Les Picasses with ~7 hectares of the 24-hectare lieu-dit
• Les Picasses sits on a fairly steep slope from the Vienne riverbank; alluvial clay over chalk limestone base
• Old vines averaging 50+ years; deep root systems contributing to mineral concentration
• Total 24 ha estate; 23 ha Cabernet Franc plus 1 ha Chenin Blanc for Chinon Blanc

The Les Picasses Chinon spends two to three years in oak before bottling, an unusually long aging program for the appellation, where most red Chinons see only 12-18 months in cask. The extended aging softens the Cabernet Franc tannins and integrates the wood character thoroughly, producing a wine that is approachable on release despite its concentration. The Les Picasses is usually released about four years after vintage, another unusual commercial pattern: most Chinon producers release after one to two years. The result is a wine that is both immediately drinkable and remarkably age-worthy, with the best Les Picasses vintages developing tertiary character at 15-25 years. Beyond Les Picasses, the estate's Chinon Rouge and Rosé follow shorter aging programs typical of the appellation but use the same traditional cellar approach.

• Les Picasses Chinon spends 2-3 years in oak before bottling, unusually long for the appellation
• Usually released about 4 years after vintage; most Chinon producers release after 1-2 years
• Extended aging softens Cabernet Franc tannins and integrates wood character thoroughly
• Best Les Picasses vintages develop tertiary character at 15-25 years in bottle

Domaine Olga Raffault is one of Chinon's most respected traditionalist estates and the producer most closely associated with the Les Picasses cru. The estate's long-aging approach, with the flagship Les Picasses spending two to three years in oak before bottling and being released about four years after vintage, distinguishes it from the broader Chinon market and produces wines that age unusually well by appellation standards. Sylvie Raffault and Eric de la Vigerie's continuation of Olga's approach across the post-Olga era has preserved the estate's stylistic identity, and the Les Picasses Chinon remains one of the appellation's clearest references for what extended-aged Cabernet Franc can deliver. For drinkers tracking serious Chinon, the estate is one of the essential addresses.

• Most respected traditionalist estate in Chinon and dominant producer of the Les Picasses cru
• Long-aging Les Picasses (2-3 years oak, 4-year vintage release) distinguishes the estate from broader Chinon market
• Stylistic continuity across the post-Olga era under Sylvie Raffault and Eric de la Vigerie
• Les Picasses Chinon is one of the appellation's clearest references for extended-aged Cabernet Franc