Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny Le Bourg, Loire, France 2018

Clos Rougeard is a legendary, small-production estate in Saumur-Champigny that set the benchmark for Cabernet Franc in the Loire Valley. Made famous by the Foucault brothers, the wines are produced with meticulous vineyard work, native fermentations, and long aging, resulting in remarkably refined, age-worthy expressions. Known for their silky tannins, mineral depth, and layered aromatics of red fruit, florals, and spice, Clos Rougeard wines combine precision and elegance with the ability to evolve beautifully over decades, making them some of the most sought-after bottles in France.

“Le Bourg” 2018 is the estate’s most powerful and structured expression of Cabernet Franc, sourced from very old vines on clay-limestone soils in the heart of Chacé. Fermented with native yeasts and aged extensively in oak (including a high proportion of new barrels), it delivers a deeper, more concentrated profile than the other cuvées. The 2018 shows layered notes of blackcurrant, plum, licorice, tobacco, and spice, with firm, tightly wound tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, mineral-driven finish. Dense yet precise, it combines intensity with elegance and is built for long-term aging, representing the most serious and age-worthy side of Clos Rougeard.