Wine Advisor
Clos Rougeard, Saumur Champigny Les Poyeux 2002
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: David Schildknecht
The Clos Rougeard 2002 Saumur-Champigny Les Poyeux displays resin, oil, mint, blackberry, smoked meat, toasted nuts, flowers, and wet stone in the nose. Firm in underlying tannin, it saturates the palate with bitter black fruit, an ore-like, ineffable minerality, and smoky, carnal depth. Very clear in fruit and striking in its rather austerely mineral way, this displays abundant tannin, yet a generously juicy, satisfying finish. Importer: Louis/Dressner Selections, New York, NY; tel. (212) 334-8191
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.
