2018 Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny

In the Chacé appellation of the Loire Valley—specifically near Saumur-Champigny—ancient vineyards such as Clos Rougeard and the Le Bourg plot produce a distinctive red wine predominantly showcasing Cabernet Franc. The vines, some averaging 80 years in age, are cultivated on a mosaic of soils including a thin layer of clay over tuffeau, predominantly limestone with deep clay subsoil, and sandier plots. The estate employs a minimum-intervention approach, with low yields achieved through organic farming practices and the avoidance of chemical treatments, allowing natural winemaking processes to reveal the intrinsic character of the terroir. This methodical expression of site-specific vineyard and soil details is embodied in the wine known as “Le Clos.”