Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Clos Rougeard
Label Name:
 
Saumur Champigny Rouge le Bourg
Vintage:
 
2018
Country:
 
France
Region:
 
Saumur‑Champigny, Loire
Volume:
 
1500ml
ABV:
 
13%
Grape(s):
 
Cabernet Franc
Acidity:
 
4
Tannins:
 
4
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
4
Length:
 
5
Aroma Intensity:
 
5
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Decanter 97 (Y. Castaing); Vinous 93 (R. Gibb MW); Wine Advocate ~90; praised for depth and aging potential

Tasting Note
Concentrated Cabernet Franc: blackcurrant, smoked bacon, tapenade, licorice, tobacco and mineral notes. Firm, chunky tannins with saline lift and long, savory finish; subtle animal/Brett character reported in some bottles.

Food Pairing
Roasted or grilled lamb, duck confit, charred steak, cured charcuterie, aged cheeses; Asian pairings: Peking duck, char siu, braised pork belly, Korean BBQ, mushroom hot pot.

Production Method
Native-yeast fermentation in open cement vats with 4–6 week maceration; aged 18–24 months in small oak barrels (Le Bourg often ~75% new oak); minimal intervention, little or no fining/filtration.

Vineyard Info
Clos Rougeard (Chacé, Saumur) — historic family estate run by the Foucaults; sold to the Bouygues family in 2017. Renowned for old‑vine Cabernet Franc, low yields and a traditional, minimalist approach.