Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny Les Clos, 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.

Saumur-Champigny “Le Clos” 2018 is a beautifully composed, terroir-blend Cabernet Franc sourced from multiple clay-limestone parcels across Chacé, Varrains, and Dampierre, with vines averaging 30–90 years old. Fermented with native yeasts and aged 18–24 months in neutral oak, the wine emphasizes purity and finesse over power. The 2018 vintage shows a slightly richer profile, with layered notes of blackcurrant, blueberry, violet, and subtle savory tones, supported by fine, polished tannins and a mineral-driven core. More open and approachable than the single vineyard cuvées, it still carries the depth, precision, and aging potential that define Clos Rougeard.