Clos Rougeard - Saumur Champigny Blanc Breze 2017

JAMES SUCKLING: "Huge depth and uncoiled complexity, with aromas of tropical fruit, spiced mangoes, beeswax, burnt feathers and meringue. Minerally and incisive, yet this is also full and broad, with an ample full body and a beautiful thread of acidity that attacks and radiates. Long, lightly phenolic and saline, but super precise and mouthwatering. A great chenin that’s quite thrilling. Already delicious, but will hold very well."

DECANTER: "The white wine from this iconic producer is often generous in style. The cooler 2017 vintage shows a typically rich, toasty nose, but the cooler 2017 vintage has resulted in palate structure that's firmer and more mineral-edged than this producer's often generous style. Concentration of honeyed melon fruit is balanced by brisk acidity and supported by savoury, mealy complexity. Long and lovely. Farmed using biodynamic principles."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Smoke, spices, ripe orchard fruits and herbs preface the 2017 Saumur Blanc Brézé, a medium to full-bodied, round and dense wine with bright acids and aromas of ginger and exotic fruits on the finish. This is a very classic Brézé that could age nicely over the next decade and more."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Bright and lifted with more vivacity than the 2018. Lively and tense on the palate with initially a mealy note, then the citrus gradually coming through. Lots of freshness on the finish."