The Loire Valley continues to be the epicenter of natural winemaking in France. We’ve found ourselves opening more and more Loire Valley wines recently, whatever the occasion. Organic viticulture, balanced wines, and affordable prices have all become the default in the Loire, a trend we celebrate enthusiastically.
Winemakers Celine and Didier Sanzay are fifth generation growers in Saumur-Champigny in the central Loire. Their reds are pure Cabernet Franc, and fit modern Loire style — small batch, organic, limited oak, concerned with balance and freshness rather than extraction and muscle. They use all wild yeasts, neither fine nor filter, and produce complex, natural expressions of the charming central Loire.
We sold out of their 2018 Saumur red back in the spring, and were delighted to find they still had some available. It arrives back in stock today.
This is exactly what you want Loire Cab Franc to be: pure, joyful, unoaked, and refreshing. Clean, juicy fruits burst from the glass on the nose — think wild cherries and fine gravel. The mouth is clean, fruit forward, inky, and intense, like a juicy Beaujolais with more serious texture.
We think it far outperforms its modest pricetag, and offers a juicy, crackling alternative to your everyday, catch-all Rhône red. Pair with crackers and goat cheese, coq a vin, or a fresh pizza.
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Sanzay Saumur-Champigny 2018
bottle price: $22
FREE EAST COAST SHIPPING ON ANY 12 BOTTLES