Clos Rougeard : Brézé 2020

Characteristics and Tasting Notes of the Saumur "Brézé" 2020 by Clos Rougeard

Tasting

Appearance
The glass reveals a pale straw hue with subtle lemon-yellow highlights.

Nose
Beautifully complex, the bouquet unveils aromas of white flowers, fresh fruit and citrus, underscored by a saline and razor-sharp minerality.

Palate
The attack is lively, introducing a silky texture and a taut structure. The tasting extends into a persistent finish, marked by a pronounced salinity.

Food and wine pairings

This white wine pairs harmoniously with roast poultry, grilled andouillette sausages, as well as seafood, oysters or delicate fish such as fresh salmon.

Serving and cellaring

Endowed with remarkable ageing potential, this Saumur "Brézé" 2020 deserves to rest in the cellar for at least five to ten years. It can be enjoyed at its best until 2045 at the earliest.

The Mineral Expression of a White Wine from Saumur by Clos Rougeard

The estate

Founded in 1664 in Chacé, Clos Rougeard is a true institution of the Loire Valley. After being led by eight generations of the Foucault family, pioneers of organic viticulture from the 1960s onwards, the estate was acquired in 2017 by the Bouygues family. Today under the direction of Cyril Chirouze, the property watches over a 15-hectare vineyard cultivated without any synthetic products. The estate is renowned for its minimalist approach and the rarity of its cuvées.

The vineyard

The cuvée comes from a specific plot of about one hectare acquired in 1993, located in the Brézé sector within the Saumur appellation. North-facing on a gentle slope, the century-old vines thrive on a clay-limestone terroir rich in tuffeau. This vineyard is cultivated according to the principles of organic and biodynamic farming, with deliberately limited yields to concentrate the quality of the berries.

Winemaking and ageing

The grapes are harvested by hand. Fermentation takes place thanks to indigenous yeasts, without temperature control or malolactic fermentation, in order to preserve a beautiful tension. This 2020 vintage is then aged for 18 to 24 months in underground tuffeau cellars, seven metres deep. The wine rests in oak barrels, of which around 20% are new. Bottling is carried out without fining or filtration.

Grape variety

Chenin Blanc (100%)