Loire

The Saumur Blanc Breze is sourced from two old vine parcels of Chenin Blanc planted in 1933 & 1952. 1.2 hectares in total. Brézé is not typical Saumur at all. The vineyards are at a higher elevation than most of the surrounding area and sit directly on a hill of tuffeau—a porous, chalky limestone intermixed with clay and sand. Something like 70% of the vineyard has less than one metre of topsoil so the vines of any age must establish roots in the chalky bedrock. This terroir creates a far more citrus, floral and mineral expression of Chenin. Even in ripe and powerful vintages, the wines remain cool, pure and fresh.

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{region}Sancerre{region}
{color}White{color}
{vintage}2018{vintage}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now, but can keep{maturity-text}

{ratings}{ratings}

{***}

The 2017 Saumur Brézé Les Arboises, from the south-facing monopole that was planted on sand and silt topsoil over limestone bedrock in 1957, opens deep, intense and toasty on the concentrated and refreshing mineral, smoky and bloody nose that needs a lot of time to integrate its fruity aromas. Fermented in concrete and aged in barrels (80% new, 20% one year old) for 18 months, this is a full-bodied, silky, fresh and unadorned Cabernet Franc from 60-year-old vines. The finish is dry and clear but not extraordinarily complex or long. Honestly, I find this style too oaky, and on the finish, I miss a certain intensity, complexity and length, but I admit I don’t have experience with older vintages. Tasted in May 2021. - 92 Points - Stephan Reinhardt, The Wine Advocate.

The Saumur Blanc Breze is sourced from two old vine parcels of Chenin Blanc planted in 1933 & 1952. 1.2 hectares in total. Brézé is not typical Saumur at all. The vineyards are at a higher elevation than most of the surrounding area and sit directly on a hill of tuffeau—a porous, chalky limestone intermixed with clay and sand. Something like 70% of the vineyard has less than one metre of topsoil so the vines of any age must establish roots in the chalky bedrock. This terroir creates a far more citrus, floral and mineral expression of Chenin. Even in ripe and powerful vintages, the wines remain cool, pure and fresh.

{***}
{region}Sancerre{region}
{color}White{color}
{vintage}2018{vintage}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now, but can keep{maturity-text}

{ratings}{ratings}

{***}

Saumur Blanc: sourced from young vines from Clos des Cârmes and Clos de Guichaux, as well as old vines from the lower slopes of the Coteaux de Brézé. Manual harvest; slow, gentle whole bunch pressing. Fermentation with natural yeast in 2-4 year old barriques. Matured in tank until the Spring following the harvest. Light filtration only at bottling.

{***}
{region}Sancerre{region}
{color}White{color}
{vintage}2018{vintage}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now, but can keep{maturity-text}

{ratings}{ratings}

{***}

100% Chenin Blanc. The fruit comes from multiple plots in Saumur, (Montreuil-Bellay, Brézé, and Bizay) Planted and replaced from 1935 to 2008.

The grapes are whole cluster pressed and fermented with indigenous yeast with a mix of large format barrels and stainless steel.

{***}
{region}Sancerre{region}
{color}White{color}
{vintage}2018{vintage}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}

{ratings}{ratings}

{***}

Bright ruby red color, the nose expresses complex hints of berries such as black currant, blackberry, slightly smoky and mineral notes. In the mouth it is fresh with delicate tannins, good balance and long sip that ends in a mineral finish..

Saumur Blanc: sourced from young vines from Clos des Cârmes and Clos de Guichaux, as well as old vines from the lower slopes of the Coteaux de Brézé. Manual harvest; slow, gentle whole bunch pressing. Fermentation with natural yeast in 2-4 year old barriques. Matured in tank until the Spring following the harvest. Light filtration only at bottling.

{***}
{region}Sancerre{region}
{color}White{color}
{vintage}2019{vintage}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now, but can keep{maturity-text}

{ratings}{ratings}

{***}

100% Chenin Blanc. The fruit comes from multiple plots in Saumur, (Montreuil-Bellay, Brézé, and Bizay) Planted and replaced from 1935 to 2008.

The grapes are whole cluster pressed and fermented with indigenous yeast with a mix of large format barrels and stainless steel.

{***}
{region}Sancerre{region}
{color}White{color}
{vintage}2019{vintage}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}

{ratings}{ratings}

{***}

100% Cabernet Franc. As with the Moulins Blanc, this new label was created to provide a home to Guiberteu's organic-in-conversion vineyards. The vines are mostly located in Montreuil-Bellay, with an inclusion of a healthy portion of old-vine fruit from a recently acquired parcel on the Brézé hill. The vines vary in age from seven to 80 years.

This is hugely impressive wine that has dark fruit character and huge tannic structure. Despite its impressive size, the whole thing feels so elegant and fine. Although it is Cabernet Franc, it is decidedly more Burgundy than you would expect. With a bit of opening and breathing in a decanter for a few hours it opens up showing its minerality.

Nady Foucault working here on a consultation basis brings the obvious question, ‘Will this estate be the next Clos Rougeard?’. You get a hint of that ethereal nature in this cuvée, and that’s no surprise given the immense care taken, including four levels of sorting after harvest. 

Bright red cherry, raspberry and violets greet you in the glass and are carried by fine ripe tannins and zippy acidity. A garrigue and spicy nature complements the taut fresh notes and gives you a refreshing and clean finish. This is an instantly enjoyable Cabernet Franc that I’ve no doubt will continue to evolve and add further complexity over the next 10+ years. 

Drink 2024 - 2035

James Belok, Private Client Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd

Deep crimson. Lots of fruit and a little chew – and lots of vitality. Great taffeta texture. Would be a gem to find in Paris, where so much Saumur-Champigny is sold.

Drink 2023 - 2029

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com (September 2023)

A chiselled and focussed expression of Chenin Blanc. Pure lemon, white blossom, stony minerality, a chalky dry finished with a concentrated acid backbone.

{***}
{region}Sancerre{region}
{color}White{color}
{vintage}2020{vintage}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}

{ratings}{ratings}

{***}

100% Cabernet Franc. As with the Moulins Blanc, this new label was created to provide a home to Guiberteu's organic-in-conversion vineyards. The vines are mostly located in Montreuil-Bellay, with an inclusion of a healthy portion of old-vine fruit from a recently acquired parcel on the Brézé hill. The vines vary in age from seven to 80 years.

Twenty percent of this wine was made in barrel this year, with the remainder in tank to preserve the purity and freshness of the fruit. There is a pronounced spicy character here, which Anatole de la Brosse says is typical of the vineyard. Beneath the spice is rich and perfumed fruit, which follows on the palate with pleasing generosity, caressing tannins and a fine, refreshing finish.

Drink now to 2032

Adam Bruntlett, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

On the nose and palate, this wine was vibrant. Great fruit flavours with darker fruit as well as blackberry leaf. This slightly hedgerow nature is incredibly autumnal in nature. Slight forest floor notes show a layer of complexity that should not be available in a wine of this price. The length is incredibly respectable, and the balance and friendliness of this wine make it particularly engaging.

Chris Hanssen, Account Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd (November 2023)

What struck us about this wine was the freshness and exuberance of black fruits. The wine sang of Black Forest Gateaux and had a fantastic crunchy finish. Indeed, it is a wine to enjoy immediately or approach in a couple of years. Beautiful!

Berry Bros. & Rudd

Something that sprung to mind immediately with this wine was sweet maple pecan pastries; the nose is so bright, showcasing red apple, orange and honey. The palate is dry, full-bodied, and well-rounded. In this cooler vintage, its undeniable appeal lies in its refreshing acidity and the distinctive tension of its phenolics. Delicious! 

Drink 2024 - 2032

Joshua Friend, Senior Account Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd

From young vines planted on limestone soils at the very edge of the première côte and next to Vincent’s prized Le Clos. It opens with a delicate citrus nose, a touch of grass and honeyed spice. The palate displays ripe orchard fruit, cox apple and pear tart, a hint of ginger, and some rich stone fruit. The palate has a weight and roundness perfectly balanced by mouth-watering acidity. Finishing long and stoney, this a remarkable wine for the price. 

Drink 2024 - 2030

Adam Bruntlett, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd