Clos Rougeard, from Steven

Thanks. I've always wondered how people who don't suffer fools manage to live with themselves.

Apropos aging Saumur (and Saumur-Champigny), we just drank through a 2005 Hureau Lisagathe that was sweet, rich and delicious - no sign of the early green. Very young at 5.
 
i have been a big fan of hureau for years. but, i think there have been some changes in the lineup recently. for the reds, they used to have the basic, the fevette and the lisagathe. is it that the basic cuvee has a new name? is the fevette still around?
 
I'm no expert, just bought from the offered Chambers line-up. I think I recall the 05 Fevette being offered at the same time. CT shows Fevette vintages up through 07, and an unnamed red up through 08.

Was surprised how sweet-sensing this wine was, in a good way; very pretty. Must scout for more aged Loire CF.
 
Very nice report (except for vicariously entertaining but ultimately pathetic fear-of-Nadi thing). Any idea how they prevent malos in the Brézé, or were people too intimidated to ask? It's usually a non-pretty choice between sterile filtration or SO2.

I picked up one each of the three 2006s and now have to wait a decade for a horizontal. Not fun.
 
originally posted by Oswaldo Costa:
Very nice report (except for vicariously entertaining but ultimately pathetic fear-of-Nadi thing). Any idea how they prevent malos in the Brézé, or were people too intimidated to ask? It's usually a non-pretty choice between sterile filtration or SO2.
Could also just be low pH from chenin. But I don't know for sure.
 
Thanks for the link Scott. I didn't know Steven had a blog. I'm looking forward to reading his other posts. That 2001 Brézé sounds amazing.
 
I almost never find that a rougeard in my glass is ready to drink. An exception is 96 Clos which I've had 2-3 times (always in France), fairly resolved on each occasion. But I can't say it was as earth shattering as some old-ish Chinons I've tried.
 
originally posted by .sasha:
I almost never find that a rougeard in my glass is ready to drink. An exception is 96 Clos which I've had 2-3 times (always in France), fairly resolved on each occasion. But I can't say it was as earth shattering as some old-ish Chinons I've tried.

The '04 Clos was singing last night after about 2 hours or so. Certainly young but quite wonderful.
 
I had 04 Clos recently, it was opened and (I think) sufficiently aired out by one of the Ambient Stockists(tm).

Clearly, based on both this exchange and the occasion I am referring to, there is no accounting for taste. The owner of the bottle was saying how much he was enjoying the wine at its current stage, while three other people, yours truly included, were eager to check if his forehead was particularly warm.
 
It's a small vintage, but a recent bottle of '01 Clos was beautiful, and for my tastes mature. Past experiences with the wine were not on this level. It also convinced me to stop opening bottles of the '02 Clos, which is sure to be the better wine when it is ready.
 
Poyeaux is aged in second fill La Tour barrels, interesting.
They always seem more oak flavored then the Clos bottle to me, and for me are not very enjoyable when young in the very few vintages I've had the chance to try.
 
I like this mix: 2/3 Poyeux and 1/3 Clos. Fresher and more complex, except for the '97 vintage. Does mean one has to buy magnums of the former but that's a bourgeois tragedy. I've never found the right blend for le Bourg, though; might be better left alone, I think.
 
originally posted by Yixin:
I like this mix: 2/3 Poyeux and 1/3 Clos. Fresher and more complex, except for the '97 vintage. Does mean one has to buy magnums of the former but that's a bourgeois tragedy. I've never found the right blend for le Bourg, though; might be better left alone, I think.
Yi Xin, I did not know you were a mad scientist at heart.
 
originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
originally posted by Yixin:
I like this mix: 2/3 Poyeux and 1/3 Clos. Fresher and more complex, except for the '97 vintage. Does mean one has to buy magnums of the former but that's a bourgeois tragedy. I've never found the right blend for le Bourg, though; might be better left alone, I think.
Yi Xin, I did not know you were a mad scientist at heart.

Keep in mind that he's been living in the land of Lafite and Coke for a few years now...

Mark Lipton
 
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