Clos Rougeard : Les Poyeux 2018

Tasting Notes and Advice for Les Poyeux 2018, Clos Rougeard

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a very deep black color with purple highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals subtle minerality alongside notes of roasted meat. Hints of tobacco gradually emerge, followed by chocolatey aromas. The bouquet is enhanced by floral fragrances of violet and peony, as well as dark-fleshed fruits such as blueberry.

Palate

On the palate, this wine unfolds a rich, generous style driven by dark fruit, reflecting a sun-kissed vintage. The texture charms with its mineral freshness and concentration, revealing layered flavors of ripe plum, black cherry, and a touch of black olive. Structured, fine tannins bring elegance, while the long, firm finish shows a slightly dry character. Vanilla notes attest to barrel aging.

Food and Wine Pairing

This Saumur-Champigny pairs particularly well with grilled or roasted red meats, poultry in sauce such as turkey with chanterelles, or a leg of lamb. It also complements creamy cheeses.

Serving and Cellaring

Les Poyeux 2018 can be enjoyed now but will benefit from a few years of patience. Its optimal drinking window extends to around 2040.

An elegant, crystalline Saumur-Champigny from the Loire Valley

The Estate

Founded in 1664, Clos Rougeard is one of the most emblematic estates in the Loire. For eight generations, the Foucault family led this 15-hectare domaine in Chacé, near Saumur, and were pioneers of organic viticulture as early as the 1960s. Since 2017, the estate has belonged to the Bouygues family, which also owns Château Montrose in Bordeaux. Under the direction of winemaker Cyril Chirouze since 2023, Clos Rougeard continues its terroir-respectful approach and traditional winemaking practices, producing exceptional wines renowned worldwide for their purity and aging potential.

The Vineyard

Les Poyeux is one of the most renowned vineyards in the Saumur-Champigny appellation, cited as a prestigious site since 1802. This 4.3-hectare parcel stretches across a gently sloping hillside facing south to south-west, at an altitude of 40 to 60 meters. The soils are made up of well-draining wind-blown sands resting on a substratum of white tuffeau from the Middle Turonian. The shallow topsoil layer (20 to 60 centimeters) combines clay, silt, and sand, with a high proportion of stones and gravel. The vines, 40 to 70 years old at the time of the 2018 harvest, are planted at a density of 6,000 vines per hectare and farmed under certified organic practices, without herbicides or chemical fertilizers.

The Vintage

The year 2018 proved exceptional in the Loire Valley. A remarkable spring allowed for successful flowering and fruit set, without the usual frost damage. The warm conditions that characterized the growing season fostered outstanding fruit concentration and superior aging potential. Despite a bout of downy mildew in June that was quickly brought under control, the vintage was largely favorable. High temperatures produced dense, age-worthy red wines, with acidity levels slightly below average and riper fruit profiles than in cooler vintages.

Winemaking and Aging

The grapes for Les Poyeux 2018 are hand-harvested at full ripeness and then fully destemmed. Fermentation takes place in concrete vats using exclusively indigenous yeasts, with no addition of commercial yeasts. Maceration lasts 21 to 28 days, with daily punch-downs and pump-overs. Malolactic fermentation occurs in barrels. Aging lasts 18 to 24 months in once-used barrels sourced from prestigious Bordeaux estates such as Montrose and Figeac. The press wine is excluded from the final blend to preserve elegance and avoid any astringency. After aging, the wine is bottled without filtration or fining, then further matured for at least one more year before release.

Grape Variety

100% cabernet franc