2016 Saumur-Champigny, Le Bourg, Clos Rougeard, Loire

 The 2016 Le Bourg is a typically fragrant, heady and savoury expression with smoky bacon characters meeting the red fruit. The clay portion of the clay-limestone soils in the vineyard tends to give roundness to Le Bourg. There's also an innate sense of power within its mellow frame.

There's a generosity here, but it never becomes opulent nor heavy - this is Saumur-Champigny, and it specialises in lightness. The tannins provide a relaxed, powdery veil for the mouth, which suggests you could approach it now, but if you're not on death's door and can wait, this has the componentry to go the long haul.

Drink 2023-2045, Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous.com (June 2022)