Clos Rougeard : Le Bourg 2019

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Bourg 2019 from Clos Rougeard

Tasting

Color

The wine shows a deep garnet hue with purple and red highlights, reflecting the hallmark intensity of this cuvée.

Nose

The nose reveals remarkable aromatic complexity. Notes of black fruits lead the way—blackcurrant, blackberry and ripe plum—lifted by floral hints of violet. Secondary aromas of mocha, cocoa and espresso mingle with tertiary notes of truffle, damp limestone, graphite and cedar, evoking the tuffeau terroir and extended barrel aging.

Palate

On the palate, the wine expresses both power and lightness. The attack is immediate and assertive, followed by a dense mid-palate with velvety, finely integrated tannins. The tannic structure remains firm, reflecting the youth of this cuvée. Vibrant minerality perfectly balances the fruit concentration, while acidity maintains a refreshing structural tension. The finish lingers at length with echoes of black fruit, spices and leather.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs ideally with premium red meats, notably tournedos Rossini with foie gras and truffle sauce. It also matches beautifully with feathered game such as pheasant or woodcock, as well as herb-roasted leg of lamb. Truffle-based dishes are a natural pairing with this cuvée.

Serving and cellaring

Le Bourg 2019 benefits from decanting for at least one hour before serving. This wine has cellaring potential through around 2049.

An exceptional Cabernet Franc from the Loire, powerful and mineral

The estate

Founded in 1664 in the village of Chacé, Clos Rougeard now spans 15 hectares divided into 25 parcels within the Saumur-Champigny appellation. Run for eight generations by the Foucault family, the estate was acquired in 2017 by Martin Bouygues. A pioneer of organic viticulture as early as the 1960s, Clos Rougeard has never used chemical products in its vineyards. Under the leadership of Cyril Chirouze since 2022, the estate perpetuates the minimalist philosophy established by the Foucault brothers while modernizing its facilities. The estate enjoys an international reputation for Cabernet Francs of exceptional finesse and complexity.

The vineyard

The Le Bourg vineyard covers about one hectare within the Saumur-Champigny appellation. The vines, around seventy years old with some centenarian plants, are rooted in a clay-limestone terroir of tuffeau, the limestone rock characteristic of Touraine. This geological formation provides excellent drainage and gives the wine its distinctive minerality. Altitude and proximity to the Loire temper temperatures, encouraging balanced ripening. Vineyard management follows strict organic principles, with manual work throughout the growing cycle and exclusively hand-harvesting, allowing rigorous selection of the grapes.

The vintage

The 2019 vintage in the Loire Valley stands out as an exceptional year for Cabernet Franc. Ripening conditions enabled full phenolic maturity while preserving the bright acidity characteristic of the region. This sunny year produced concentrated, ripe grapes with fine structure, without excessive heat compromising the terroir’s mineral precision.

Vinification and aging

Vinification of Le Bourg 2019 is based on minimal intervention. Fermentations start spontaneously thanks to indigenous yeasts, with no added commercial cultures. Maceration is extended, with gentle extractions to maximize aromatic and structural complexity. Aging takes place for around twenty-four months in new oak barrels, allowing gradual oxidative maturation and further refinement of the tannins. The wine is bottled without fining or filtration, preserving its full complexity. After bottling, the wine rests for several years in the estate’s tuffeau cellars before release.

Grape variety

100% Cabernet Franc