Wine Advisor
Clos Rougeard, Saumur Champigny Les Poyeux 1995
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 1995 Saumur-Champigny Les Poyeux was completely surpassed by the "Le Bourg" cuvée served in tandem. This is quite muted on the slightly musty nose. Likewise, the palate is angular and rather disjointed, with mainly black fruit and cracked black pepper and sage on the slightly undernourished finish. I have fonder memories of the 2005 Les Poyeux. Tasted at the Clos Rougeard retrospective at Noble Rot.
About the Producer
This humble estate located in the heart of the Saumur-Champigny appellation has garnered a cult like following for its texturally enticing, elegant, and understated Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc wines. The Foucault brothers, Nadi and his late brother Charlie, took over the family vineyards in 1969, and are the eighth generation in their family to run this 17th Century estate. They are considered the pioneers of organic and biodynamic viticulture in their region, producing Cabernet Francs of incredible concentration and length that are on par with many left bank Bordeaux château. Le Bourg, which is their top cuvée, is a small one hectare plot with vines almost 80 years in age, producing shockingly low yields of 15 hl/ha that lower than most of the top Burgundian producers. The equally rare Chenin Blanc named Brèze, is quite simply put, the pinnacle of Chenin in Loire coming from a tiny one hectare plot of 40-50 year old vines. These are incredibly pure, lean whites with great power and intensity, as well as excellent freshness.
