The Loire Valley's most celebrated and age-worthy Cabernet Franc appellation — tuffeau limestone hillsides above the village of Saumur producing Cabernet Franc (minimum 100%) of extraordinary aromatic precision, mineral depth, and unexpected longevity. Saumur-Champigny's finest wines — especially from the Puy-Notre-Dame sub-zone and estates like Clos Rougeard — develop over 20+ years in bottle into wines that rival Chinon and Bourgeuil for Loire Cabernet Franc supremacy. The tuffeau limestone's chalk and quartz imparts a mineral freshness that makes Saumur-Champigny arguably the most elegant Cabernet Franc in France.
| Year | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | — | Outstanding Saumur-Champigny vintage; Cabernet Franc from tuffeau limestone showed extraordinary aromatic precision and mineral depth. |
| 2021 | — | Classic vintage; cool Loire conditions produced wines of excellent fresh red fruit character and the tuffeau limestone mineral signature. |
| 2020 | — | Benchmark year; Domaine des Roches Neuves and Filliatreau both produced exceptional single-vineyard wines of 15+ year aging potential. |
| 2019 | — | Greatest Saumur-Champigny vintage of the era; Cabernet Franc of extraordinary depth and the characteristic Loire pencil shavings and violet complexity. |
| 2018 | — | Warm vintage producing generous Cabernet Franc of unusual concentration; tuffeau limestone maintained freshness in an otherwise hot Loire year. |