12.5% abv, Chacé, imported by Beaune Imports, Berkeley, CA. Cork closure: natural. Biodynamic calendar: fruit day.
Winemaking notes: 100% Cabernet Franc, 50-70 years old vines. “The red wines at this domaine all undergo a 4-to-6-week native yeast fermentation and maceration in open top cement vats, with gently extraction. This is followed by 18- to 24-months aging in small barrels, which according Nady has long been the tradition in Saumur. Key to their deep yet elegantly textured character is the exclusion of the press wine, which was always sold off. The character of each of the red wines determines both their length of barrel aging, and the use of new oak. The barrels are all neutral for ‘Le Clos’.”
Tasting note: The Rougeard ‘Les Clos’ is medium garnet in color with a clean nose of medium intensity with aromas of peony, raspberry, currant leaf, and tobacco. On the palate this wine is dry with high acid, medium+ tannins, medium body, medium alcohol, medium+ flavor intensity, and a medium finish with flavors of dried rose petals, verbena, raspberry, cassis, anise, sweet red licorice, tobacco, graphite, leather, bay laurel, olive, and forest floor. This wine is very good; drink now through 2034: 9.4/10.
