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2023 Anjou Rouge “Clos de la Cerisaie”
Château d'EpiréChâteau d’Epiré is a true guardian of Savennières history: for centuries, the property has been the source of profound, age-worthy Chenin Blanc that evokes the local schist soils with utter transparency. But the Anjou region is also Cabernet Franc territory, and as we well know, after every great white a great red must follow. It is only natural, then, that the Bizard family—who has owned Epiré since the 17th century—should make a bit of rouge, too.
Cabernet Franc in this terroir shares certain traits with white Savennières, as one might expect. It is a lively, brisk wine, showcasing pristine red fruit and a hint of herbs over a firm foundation of stony acidity. Unfined and unfiltered, the 2022 satisfies with a velvety fullness and mouth-watering finish.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2023 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Cabernet Franc |
Appellation: | Savennières |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Winemaker: | Paul Bizard |
Vineyard: | Planted in 1973, 1976, 2016, 1.5 ha |
Soil: | Schist |
Aging: | Wine ages in 30 hectoliter stainless steel tanks until spring |
Farming: | Lutte Raisonnée |
Alcohol: | 13% |
More from this Producer or Region
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2019 Chinon “Clos du Chêne Vert”
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2023 Sancerre Rosé
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2022 Chardonnay
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Some wines deliver well beyond expectations—this is one of them.
2023 Anjou Rouge “Clos de la Cerisaie”
France | Loire
It is a lively, brisk wine, showcasing pristine red fruit and a hint of herbs over a firm foundation of stony acidity.
About The Region
Loire
The defining feature of the Loire Valley, not surprisingly, is the Loire River. As the longest river in France, spanning more than 600 miles, this river connects seemingly disparate wine regions. Why else would Sancerre, with its Kimmeridgian limestone terroir be connected to Muscadet, an appellation that is 250 miles away?
Secondary in relevance to the historical, climatic, environmental, and cultural importance of the river are the wines and châteaux of the Jardin de la France. The kings and nobility of France built many hundreds of châteaux in the Loire but wine preceded the arrival of the noblesse and has since out-lived them as well.
Diversity abounds in the Loire. The aforementioned Kimmderidgian limestone of Sancerre is also found in Chablis. Chinon, Bourgueil, and Saumur boast the presence of tuffeau, a type of limestone unique to the Loire that has a yellowish tinge and a chalky texture. Savennières has schist, while Muscadet has volcanic, granite, and serpentinite based soils. In addition to geologic diversity, many, grape varieties are grown there too: Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Melon de Bourgogne are most prevalent, but (to name a few) Pinot Gris, Grolleau, Pinot Noir, Pineau d’Aunis, and Folle Blanche are also planted. These myriad of viticultural influences leads to the high quality production of every type of wine: red, white, rosé, sparkling, and dessert.
Like the Rhône and Provence, some of Kermit’s first imports came from the Loire, most notably the wines of Charles Joguet and Château d’Epiré—two producers who are featured in Kermit’s book Adventures on the Wine Route and with whom we still work today.
More from Loire or France
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2020 Sancerre “Hameau de Reigny”
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2022 Chardonnay
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2022 Menetou-Salon Blanc “Cuvée des Bénédictins”
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2021 Chinon Blanc “Les Charmes”
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2021 Chinon “Les Grézeaux”
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2023 Reuilly Pinot Noir
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2023 Sancerre
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2021 Chinon
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2018 Vouvray “La Moelleuse”
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2021 Vin de France Blanche
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2022 Chinon “Les Granges”
Bernard Baudry France | Loire
2022 Sancerre “Les Coutones”
Daniel Chotard France | Loire
2020 Sancerre “Hameau de Reigny”
Daniel Chotard France | Loire
2022 Chardonnay
Éric Chevalier France | Loire
2022 Menetou-Salon Blanc “Cuvée des Bénédictins”
Prieuré de Saint Céols France | Loire
2021 Chinon Blanc “Les Charmes”
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2021 Chinon “Les Grézeaux”
Bernard Baudry France | Loire
2023 Reuilly Pinot Noir
Domaine de Reuilly France | Loire
2023 Sancerre
Hippolyte Reverdy France | Loire
2021 Chinon
Bernard Baudry France | Loire
2018 Vouvray “La Moelleuse”
Champalou France | Loire
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
You don’t have to be rich to cellar a great wine.