2013 Clos Rougeard Le Clos Saumur-Champigny 750ml

The 2013 Clos Rougeard Le Clos Saumur-Champigny is an immortal monument of the Loire Valley. Furthermore, the late Foucault brothers crafted this legendary Cabernet Franc with radical organic viticulture and traditional cellar restraint. Consequently, this rare allocation commands premier demand and mythical reverence among elite fine wine collectors worldwide. Every single bottle delivers an electrifying masterclass in terroir precision and savory aromatics.

Additionally, the cool 2013 harvest produced fruit of astonishing crystalline energy, vibrant tension, and floral lift. Meanwhile, the estate’s historic cave maturation built remarkable textural silkiness and deep, haunting complexity. Therefore, this singular cuvée effortlessly rivals the greatest Grand Crus of Burgundy and Bordeaux.

Terroir & Viticulture

The fruit originates exclusively from organically farmed, old-vine Cabernet Franc parcels situated around Chacé. Specifically, the Foucault brothers selected pristine grapes grown on shallow clay topsoil over pure tuffeau limestone bedrock. The unique combination of porous chalk and mild river influence preserves vibrant natural tartaric acidity during ripening. As a result, the fruit achieves complete physiological balance and exceptional aromatic focus.

Meanwhile, the domaine managed the estate with uncompromising devotion to living soils and chemical-free viticulture. Hand-tillage and organic practices encourage deep root exploration into fractured limestone bedrock. Furthermore, strict bunch selection and modest crop loads concentrate pure fruit sap into tiny clusters. Thus, each grape bunch captures the vibrant, authentic energy of its respective terroir.

Vinification & Craftsmanship

In the cellar, Nady and Charly Foucault vinified with an uncompromising, purist approach to artisanal winemaking. First, workers harvested the pristine grape clusters entirely by hand at sunrise with strict table triage. Subsequently, the destemmed fruit underwent spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in open cement vats. Crucially, the brothers championed gentle pump-overs and minimal extraction to safeguard sheer aromatic transparency.

Moreover, the wine matured on fine lees in seasoned French oak barrels for roughly eighteen to twenty-four months. The ancient, freezing tuffeau cellars allowed a glacially slow, gentle micro-oxygenation over multiple winters. Crucially, the cellar operated entirely by gravity without mechanical pumping or temperature shock. Finally, the estate hand-bottled each vessel without aggressive fining or filtration.

Tasting Notes

In the glass, Le Clos displays a luminous, translucent garnet robe with bright ruby glints. Immediately, the nose opens with soaring aromas of wild field strawberry, red raspberry, and crushed violet petals. In addition, savory undertones of graphite, crushed chalk, tobacco leaf, and Asian five-spice unfold.

On the palate, the wine feels lithe, silky, and remarkably energetic throughout the entire palate. However, an incisive spine of limestone freshness frames the bright red fruit core with precision. Consequently, the finish lingers for minutes with echoes of blood orange, iron minerality, and savory salinity. Ultimately, it leaves an unforgettable impression of seductive charm and harmonious balance.

Technical Specifications

• Producer: Clos Rougeard
• Winemakers: Charly & Nady Foucault
• Appellation: Saumur-Champigny AOC (Loire Valley, France)
• Cuvée: Le Clos (Classic Estate Blend)
• Varietal: 100% Cabernet Franc
• Farming: Certified Organic Viticulture (Pioneers since the 1970s)
• Vinification: Destemmed, Native Yeasts, Concrete Vat Fermentation
• Oak Program: 18–24 Months in Seasoned French Oak Barrels
• Clarification: Unfined & Unfiltered
• Vintage: 2013
• Volume: 750ml

Service & Cellar Potential

Serve this expressive Cabernet Franc between 14°C and 16°C (57°F–61°F) in large Burgundy stemware. Specifically, decant the bottle 60 minutes prior to service to let the intricate perfume awaken. Therefore, gentle aeration allows the delicate floral and spice layers to expand completely.

Pair this wine with roasted squab, milk-fed veal chops with chanterelles, or pan-seared duck breast. Furthermore, its fine-grained tannins and bright acidity ensure superb endurance. As a result, collectors can enjoy this bottle today or cellar it safely through 2038+.