2015 Les Poyeux, Saumur-Champigny, Domaine la Bonnelière

2015 Les Poyeaux, Saumur-Champigny, 

Domaine de la Bonnelière

Thanks to Charly and Nady Foucault Les Poyeux is now one of the most famous vineyard sites in the Loire. As well as the Foucaults there are a number of other producers including Antoine Sanzay and the Bonneau family – Domaine la Bonnelière. 

The 2015 Les Poyeux, Domaine de la Bonnelière is very promising: very enjoyable to drink now it will surely repay keeping. It is still youthful with a rich concentration of pure black fruits, softly textured but with structure and some complexity along with good length. Reasonably priced this is a bargain.    

2017 Saumur-Champigny Tradition, Domaine de la Bonnelière

 

Not one of the most fashionable of Saumur-Champigny domaines, Domaine la Bonnelière is a lesser known gem making very good wine at decidedly reasonable prices. The 2017 Tradition is no exception to this: soft, fragrant Cabernet Franc, slightly herbal making this 2017 a very attractive young Saumur-Champigny.  

Two Saumur-Champignys from Domaine la Bonnelière

2011 Les Poyeux, Saumur-Champigny, 

Domaine la Bonnellière

Over the last two nights we have tried a couple of Saumur-Champignys from Domaine la Bonnelière in Varrains. Their 2014 Les Poyeux was one of the top wines in Decanter's last year's Saumur-Champigny tasting. Thanks to the Foucault brothers the 15-hectare south-west facing Les Poyeux has become one of the appellation's most famous, if not the most famous, single vineyard. if you take the road from Chacé to Champigny it is on your left. Anthony and Cédric Bonneau age 30% of their les Poyeux in oak and the rest in stainless steel.

The 2011 has a good concentration of black fruits and is drinking very well now.

The dense and concentrated 2010 Franc 100%, however, needs more time in bottle to show its best. Franc spends 36 months in new wood. Unfortunately it uses an unnecessarily heavy bottle. I hope the Bonneaus will go for a lighter bottle for future vintages as the fashion and acceptance of heavy bottles has now past.  

Although the Franc is interesting and a small production cuvée I'd opt to buy their very good value – just 8€ retail – Les Poyeux any day.  

 

 

Anthony and Cédric Bonneau  

Some April dates for your diary: Touraine and Saumur-Champigny

 

Anthony and Cédric Bonneau, Domaine la Bonnelière, Saumur  

 

 

 

2nd and 3rd April 2016: VinaViva:

News of the annual VinaViva Salon. This is a small, friendly affair and definitely recommended.   

 

2016 VinaViva
7e salon des vins de libre expression Le Gout des cépages ! 

Entre Tours et Langeais, à Saint-Etienne de Chigny 37230, Salle des Fêtes samedi 2 et dimanche 3 avril 2016 www.vinaviva.fr 

 

More details here. 

 

2nd and 3rd April: Clos Roussely, Angé sur Cher 

Portes Ouvertes.  

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9th and 10th April: Domaine la Bonnelière, Varrains 

Portes Ouvertes 

 

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17th April: La Cave Simoneau, Saint Georges sur Cher 

Portes Ouvertes