Clos Rougeard - Saumur Champigny Le Bourg 2015

DECANTER: DECANTER:"A complex, dense aromatic framework displays elements of grilled hazelnuts, liquorice, violets and a hint of iris. The palate is a tad monolithic, with an impressive tannic structure and a dense finish, with that characteristic minty freshness. A superb, youthful wine that will stay the distance."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2015 Clos Rougeard Bourg has a medium garnet color, opening with floral notes of roses, dried lavender, and garrigue before giving way to a core of red currant jelly, wild blueberries, wood smoke, and charcoal with a touch of cardamom. The light to medium-bodied delivers oh-so-soft, silt-like tannins and a racy line to support the delicately perfumed red berry layers, finishing on a lingering smoky note. Gorgeous."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Attractively leafy aromas with refined notes of paprika, green peppercorns, tobacco, fresh red berries, wild currants and wet earth. Fluid, juicy and even on the palate, with a fine connection between herbs and freshly picked berry fruit. Fine, soft tannins merge into the lengthy finish. Succulent, naturally rendered and pristine. A confident cabernet franc. Nothing ostentatious here. Delicious and really drinkable now, but should hold very well for the next few years."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2015 Saumur Champigny Le Bourg is coolish and fresh on the toasty nose. Generous, intense and salty on the palate, with fine tannins and lots of cherry aromas, this is a ripe, round and juicy Champigny with firm tannins that were still a bit dry when I tasted this wine (summer 2018) and needed some time to fully integrate. The wine should be on another level today."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "The oak shows a little on the nose with a vanilla note but there’s plenty of berry fruit as well. Better integration on the palate, which is full and round with plenty of matière. A minerally freshness on the finish. Ageing well."