Wine Advisor
Clos Rougeard, Saumur Champigny Les Poyeux 2016
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Rebecca Gibb
There's a gorgeous nectarine-like character that runs through Les Poyeux when young and the 2016 is no different. It's silky and seductive in a non-opulent way. Finesse is a word that crops up repeatedly when I tasted this wine: finesse of fragrance - this is delightfully perfumed, pure and precise; finesse of tannins with their fine chalky texture. It is long, scented and charming, thus it could be approached now if you wished but it has a medium to long life ahead.
Reviewed by: Jason Wilson
Deep ruby. Dark, complex nose of black cherry, plum, menthol, licorice, chocolate, and coffee. Lots of red fruit on the palate, with tobacco notes throughout, chewy and expansive, fine tannins, and very dry on the finish.
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.
