Some 2014 Saumur-Champignys – delicious drinking now!

2014 Saumur-Champigny Domaine Antoine Sanzay

2014 Cabernet Franc based Loire reds are already proving to be very attractive to drink now. They have lovely rich, bright fruit and have lovely balance with a freshness in the finish. Although not as rich as vintages such as 2005 and 2009 they are very seductive. Over the last week we have enjoyed four Saumur-Champignys shown here. 

Antoine Sanzay's range of 2014 reds are excellent. Above is the straight domaine, which has lovely black fruits and is richly textured. Certainly can be enjoyed now but has the potential to be kept – probably for up to 10 years. 

   

La Croix de Chaintres, 2014 Saumur-Champigny, Domaine Filliatreau is a lighter, early-drinking cuvée with attractive red fruits and is sensibly closed with a screwcap. 

The 2014 Saumur-Champigny, Domaine de Nerleux comes between the Antoine Sanzay and the Filliatreau in terms of weight with attractive texture and black fruits. It is drinking well now but can easily be kept for five or more years.

2014 Clos de l'échelier, Saumur-Champigny, Thierry Germain, Domaine des Roches Neuves. This is a relatively new cuvée from Thierry. It comes from a clos in Dampierre just above the Loire. Thierry acquired it in 2012 when the previous owner, who sent his grapes to the cooperative decided to retire. Nicely textured with some structure, we enjoyed this with roast duck. It certainly has the potential to age and should develop further in bottle.    

  

La Croix de Chaintres, 2014 Saumur-Champigny, Domaine Filliatreau

2014 Saumur-Champigny, Domaine de Nerleux

2014 Clos de l'échelier, Saumur-Champigny, Thierry Germain, 

Domaine des Roches Neuves 

Souvenir from 2011 vintage – Frédéric Filliatreau assessing some Cabernet Franc

Frédéric Filliatreau (above and below) 

Domaine Filliatreau

Matthew Jukes curator of 100 Most Iconic Wine Estates

Matthew Jukes: Quintesstially's 100 Most Iconic Wine Estates

Matthew's Quintesstially's 100 Most Iconic Wine Estates was published by Quintesstentially Publishing at the end of 2012 priced at £30. 

Naturally Matthew's selection spans the entire wine world: from California to Australia and New Zealand by way of Europe and South Africa.

Matthew Jukes tasting

From the introduction:

'The wine world is ever changing, but these estates can be relied upon to make stellar wines year in, year out – they are the shimmering bedrock of the wine world. Showcasing an incredible array of grape varieties, regions and countries, with hypnotic aromas and devastating flavours there are sublime creations on every page. All are unique, celebrating their exact position on our planet and fashioning delicious wines which entrance our senses. A fair few of the pioneers mentioned within these covers have changed the paradigm of winemaking in their sphere. There are wines here that don't cost the earth and that bring great joy; nestling comfortably next to those whose rarity and cost are truly breath-taking. These are also all wines that I would love to have in my own collection; forming the most complete and balanced cellar that I can design.'  

     Bernard and Matthieu Baudry, Domaine Bernard Baudry

There are five Loire estates selected: Bernard Baudry, Filliatreau, Huet, Jacky and Jean-Philippe Blot, and François Cotat. 

 Frédéric Filliatreau testing Cabernet Franc during 2011 vintage@Brézé

 Noël Pinguet, Domaine Huet during the 2010 vendange   

Jacky Blot in Bourgueil@La Butte

Domaine François Cotat – 'closed'  

On Huet, Matthew comments: 'Until recently the estate was run by Gaston's son-in-law Noël Pinguet and with the security of substantial investment it looks set to cruise into the next generation, with winemaking controlled by local lad Benjamin Joliveau and long time cellar-master Jean-Bernard Berthomé.'

I trust that Matthew's optimism is well placed here but given the nature of Noël's departure in February 2012 questions for the moment hang in the air.   

  

Domaine Filliatreau is available in UK thru Yapp Brothers

Fredrik  Filliatreau

Gremlins appear to have got into my article on the 2009 Loire Vintage in this month's Decanter where I allege that wines from Domaine Filliatreau are not available in the UK. Even I know this is nonsense and wasn't as far as I can see in my submitted copy, so it must have been affected by its passage thru the ether.

Yesterday afternoon I received this  email from an understandably slightly miffed Jason Yapp of Yapp Brothers:

'Great to see the Domaine Filliatreau Saumur Champigny 2009 in the latest edition of Decanter but it’s disappointing to see it being listed as unavailable in the UK.

'We’ve been shipping it in every single vintage for over 30 years & have plentiful stocks of the 2009!'