France — wine

Saumur-Champigny AOC

The Loire Valley's most celebrated Cabernet Franc appellation; tuffeau chalk soils around the village of Champigny produce Loire's finest red wines with violet, pencil shavings, raspberry and earthy character. The wines are lighter than Bordeaux Cabernet Franc but show extraordinary freshness, terroir expression, and aging potential. Clos Rougeard from the Foucault brothers has become one of France's most collected wines.

Year Rating Notes
2023 Good Loire vintage; fresh, violet-driven Saumur-Champigny
2022 Good year; warm summer; Cabernet Franc achieved ripeness; structured and fresh wines with tuffeau mineral
2021 Excellent; fresh cool year; classic Saumur-Champigny expression; violet and fresh red fruit; mineral depth
2020 Good vintage; tuffeau chalk mineral well-expressed; elegant red fruit and earthy character
2019 Excellent; classic Loire freshness; Cabernet Franc shows violet, pencil and raspberry; exceptional year
2018 Warm year; Cabernet Franc ripened fully; wines of unusual concentration for Saumur; dark fruit style
2017 Spring frost reduced yields significantly; concentrated, expressive wines