Clos Rougeard : Brézé 2019

Characteristics and tasting advice for Brézé 2019 Clos Rougeard

Tasting

Appearance

The wine shows a pale yellow to golden hue, reflecting the freshness of the vintage and the measured ripeness achieved in the vineyard.

Nose

The nose reveals a captivating bouquet combining aromas of lime, Meyer lemon and exotic spices, alongside mineral notes evocative of flint. This aromatic expression reflects the influence of the limestone terroir and the typicity of chenin blanc grown on these soils.

Palate

On the palate, the wine displays remarkable tension and concentration. The structure is defined by lively acidity that brings freshness and energy. The medium-to-full body reflects the concentration of extracts and the phenolic ripeness achieved. Minerality and salinity run through the entire tasting, echoing the chalky soils and tuffeau of the Brézé vineyard. The overall impression is decidedly savory rather than fruity, with citrus and mineral tones taking the lead. The finish is long and persistent, concluding on a saline note that is particularly pronounced in this vintage.

Food and wine pairings

This Brézé 2019 is an ideal match for oysters and other raw seafood, continuing a time-honored Loire tradition. It also pairs beautifully with lobster, whether steamed or prepared with buttery sauces. White-fleshed fish such as sole, halibut or grouper, whether pan-seared or roasted, make excellent pairings. The wine also harmonizes with ravioli filled with seafood or delicate vegetables. Smoked salmon and cold-smoked fish find a partner of choice in this wine. Vegetable dishes that highlight asparagus or fennel salads are also elevated by its minerality. This Brézé can also be enjoyed as an aperitif, where its aromatic complexity and refreshing character elegantly prepare the palate.

Serving and cellaring

This Brézé 2019 can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve through around 2039. Its aging potential extends for roughly fifteen years following its release, during which the wine’s different components will integrate harmoniously.

A Loire chenin blanc of exceptional tension and minerality, from the legendary Brézé terroir

The estate

Founded in 1664 in the village of Chacé, Clos Rougeard remained in the hands of the same family for fourteen consecutive generations. Brothers Jean-Louis and Bernard Foucault marked the estate’s history by maintaining organic and biodynamic viticultural practices from 1969, long before these methods became widespread. In 2017, the Bouygues family acquired this legendary 11-hectare property spread across 20 plots. Under the leadership of Hervé Berland and with guidance from Nady Foucault, the estate continues its philosophy of minimal intervention and authentic expression of terroir. Since 2023, Cyril Chirouze has overseen vinification, carrying on the legacy of excellence established by the Foucault brothers.

The vineyard

Brézé comes from one hectare of very old chenin blanc vines located in the village of Brézé, south of the famous château. This historic terroir, recognized for centuries for the exceptional quality of its wines, is rooted in clay-limestone soils rich in chalk and scattered with marine fossils dating back to the Cretaceous era. The vineyard benefits from a north-facing exposure and a gentle slope, preserving the natural acidity and aromatic freshness characteristic of chenin blanc in this region. This orientation avoids excessive ripeness while allowing optimal grape development. Planting density reaches 6,000 vines per hectare, encouraging root competition and aromatic concentration. The vines are farmed according to organic and biodynamic principles, without herbicides or chemical fertilizers. Regular plowing manages weeds, while only copper and sulfur are used sparingly to protect the vineyard. This plot is part of the Saumur appellation, in the Loire Valley.

The vintage

The 2019 vintage in the Loire Valley is characterized by tempered classicism. The growing season began favorably, followed by spring frosts that concentrated yields on the fruit that survived. The summer period proved moderately warm, without extremes, with well-timed rainfall. The year’s overall dryness, combined with sufficient water availability during critical phenological stages, created ideal conditions to produce balanced chenin blancs, combining ripeness with the vibrant acidic tension typical of this grape variety in a cool climate.

Vinification and aging

The Brézé 2019 grapes are harvested by hand at optimal phenolic ripeness, determined by tasting rather than by technical measurements. After meticulous sorting, vinification is carried out with indigenous yeasts naturally present on the grape skins. Fermentation takes place in tanks and oak barrels. Aging lasts about one year in barriques, with only 30% new oak, the remainder made up of older barrels that impart fewer oaky markers. This maturation period is followed by additional bottle aging prior to release. The wine is bottled without fining or filtration, preserving its aromatic complexity and texture. Sulfite addition remains minimal, with total levels around 25 milligrams per liter, well below the authorized maximums.

Grape variety

100% chenin blanc