Category:
 
White Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
White Wines
Producer:
 
Clos Rougeard
Label Name:
 
Saumur Champigny Blanc Breze
Vintage:
 
2018
Country:
 
France
Region:
 
Saumur, Loire Valley
Volume:
 
1500ml
ABV:
 
13%
Grape(s):
 
Chenin Blanc (100%)
Method:
 
Hand-harvested, organic/minimal-intervention viticulture; native yeast fermentation; aged c.18–24 months in French oak (≈20% new); limited malo-lactic conversion; extended bottle ageing in tuffeau cellars.
Acidity:
 
4
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
4
Length:
 
5
Aroma Intensity:
 
4
Best Temperature:
 
10-12
Tasting Note:
 
Rich, finely textured Chenin with white peach, almond and citrus notes, saline minerality and light honeyed nuance. Silky, concentrated palate with lively acidity and a long, saline, focused finish.
Food Pairing:
 
Western: lobster or scallops with beurre blanc, roast chicken, pork belly, aged Comté or goat cheese. Asian: miso-glazed black cod, tempura prawns, sushi (fatty tuna), steamed fish with ginger and scallions, mildly spiced Thai curry.
Vineyard Info:
 
Clos Rougeard (est. 1664) — cult Loire estate run by the Foucault family, sold to Bouygues in 2017; 15 ha of old vines, organic/biodynamic practices, tiny allocations and long cellar ageing.
Awards/Ratings:
 
Notable scores for the 2018 Brézé include: The Wine Doctor / Chris Kissack ~96; Decanter (Benjamin Lewin) 93; Vinous (Rebecca Gibb) 91. Multiple merchant listings also cite ratings in the low-to-mid 90s