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2012 Clos Rougeard (Foucault) Saumur-Champigny Les Poyeux #187010611
750ml
Our Notes
This bottling from Charly and Nadi Foucault is the brothers at their zenith, their deft hand with cabernet franc (and chenin) demonstrating why this cult producer has become a legend. This site, adjacent to the cellar, has 50-year-old south-facing vines, pruned for meager yields, offering up a wine that is at once elegant and stylish. The complexity, depth and expressiveness here calls to mind Burgundy more than the Loire, with a velvety rendition of the grape that remains true to its nature, replete with savory olive and tobacco leaf notes and a deep vein of minerality.
Reviews Jancis Robinson "Garnet with brick at the rim. Light, red-berry notes with a touch of pepper and mushroom. Still so elegant on the palate, the tannic structure lighter but very fine. (JL)"
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About Clos Rougeard (Foucault)
Situated in the heart of the Loire Valley, Clos Rougeard, led by brothers Nady and Charly Foucault, is an iconic producer that epitomizes the greatness of Saumur-Champigny. Hailing from a lineage of eight generations, they've evolved their 10-hectare estate into a beacon of natural and biodynamic viticulture since 1969, inspiring winemakers globally.
The meticulous and traditional practices at Clos Rougeard are reflected in their extraordinarily low yields, around 25 hl/ha, achieved through hand-harvesting and rigorous vine tending. Fermentation takes place in cement vats with native yeasts and daily punch-downs, sometimes manually. Post-fermentation, wines are racked into barrels for malolactic fermentation and aged for up to 24 months, followed by an additional year of rest post-bottling without fining or filtration. These time-honored methods, taking place within tuffeau-carved tunnels, result in intensely aromatic, robust, and long-lived wines.
The estate's emblematic reds, Poyeux and Bourg, alongside the revered white, Brézé, are sought-after gems. These wines are made purely from Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc vines, respectively, sourced from three distinct, exceptional terroirs in Saumur. With the passing of Charly in 2015 and the estate's subsequent sale, these wine treasures have become increasingly elusive.
The Foucaults' vineyard portfolio is an intriguing mix of old-vine Cabernet Franc parcels within Saumur’s limestone-rich plateau and Chenin Blanc vines in Brézé's limestone-clay marls. Each red cuvée's character guides its barrel aging length and new oak usage, adding an extra layer of depth and sophistication to these wines. Meanwhile, Brézé, the estate's sole white cuvée, is a versatile expression of its distinctive terroir and vintage.
The Foucaults' unwavering commitment to tradition, combined with their stringent quality measures, have elevated Clos Rougeard to legendary status. Their wines, produced in scarce quantities, are not just exceptional representations of their type but transcendental experiences cherished by wine collectors worldwide.