Clos Rougeard : Les Poyeux 2020

Characteristics and tasting notes for the 2020 Les Poyeux cuvée from Clos Rougeard

Tasting notes

Colour
A pale ruby hue, enhanced by subtle garnet nuances.

Nose
Wonderfully delicate, the bouquet combines floral aromas of violet and rose petal with notes of fresh red berries such as raspberry and cherry. These are rounded out by subtle herbal and mineral touches.

Palate
The palate stands out for its silky texture and profile that is both dense and elegant. Carried by a lovely acidity that lends great freshness, it unfolds towards a persistent, precise and mineral finish, delicately mouth-watering.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs wonderfully with grilled or roasted red meats, as well as with poultry and feathered game served with a pan sauce. Aromatic herbs such as thyme or rosemary will perfectly highlight its profile.

Service and storage

Approachable even in its youth, this Clos Rougeard "Les Poyeux" 2020 boasts remarkable ageing potential, capable of evolving in the cellar until at least 2040.

Other characteristics

This wine has a moderate alcohol content of 12.5%.

The finesse and minerality of a Saumur-Champigny wine

The estate

Founded in 1664 in Chacé, in the heart of the Loire valley in France, Clos Rougeard is a true institution. After being led by eight generations of the Foucault family, pioneers of organic viticulture as early as the 1960s, the estate was acquired in 2017 by Martin and Olivier Bouygues. Today, under the direction of Pierre Graffeuille and Cyril Chirouze, the estate continues to uphold its heritage. With its 15 hectares of vines cultivated without chemical inputs, the estate produces cuvées that remain true to the expression of their terroir.

The vineyard

Hailing from the Saumur-Champigny appellation, the cuvée comes from a specific plot of around three hectares. This unique terroir stands out for its gentle south and southwest-facing slope, benefiting from natural protection against north winds thanks to the surrounding forests. The soils, which are exceptionally rare, combine clay with well-draining aeolian sands resting on a limestone bedrock. The vineyard is farmed according to organic principles, Ecocert-certified, with exclusively hand-picked harvests and deliberately limited yields.

The vintage

The year 2020 was marked by abundant sunshine throughout the summer season, combined with favourable humidity conditions during the crucial ripening period. This mild weather allowed the vegetative cycle to reach an optimal conclusion.

Winemaking and aging

The estate's philosophy favours gentle vinifications, approached like infusions. Fermentation begins naturally thanks to indigenous yeasts. For this Clos Rougeard "Les Poyeux" 2020, ageing takes place over a period of eighteen to twenty-four months in used oak barrels. The wine then rests peacefully for several years in the estate's deep tuffeau stone cellars, at a constant temperature of around twelve degrees, before being released for sale.

Grape variety

Cabernet Franc (100%).