Antoine Sanzay Cuvee du Domaine Rouge 2018
Sanzay’s “Cuvée Domaine” sourced from 35-year-old vines and both vinified and aged in concrete vats. In the glass it’s a deep ruby with magenta highlights at the rim, with aromas of black cherry, cranberry, black raspberry, damp violets, tobacco, and a hint of black pepper. The palate is fresh and full of acid-driven energy. One can mistake this for cru Beaujolais, as the overall effect is similar, but the hints of sage and mint intermingling with the lush, juicy fruit are a key indicator of Cabernet Franc. This is another one of those wines that would disappear first if plopped down on a table of sommeliers.
ORGANIC / BIODYNAMIC / NATURAL
Antoine Sanzay La Haye Dampierre 2018
100% Cabernet Franc. Appellation Saumur-Champigny Rouge. From Antoine’s vineyard in Varrains, a 1.1 hectare parcel planted in 1975 on mostly sand on limestone bedrock. Organically farmed, hand harvested, sorted, destemmed then fermented in stainless steel for 3 weeks before being pressed into a combination of concrete eggs and aged French oak barriques for 9 months. Unfiltered, unfined, SO2 added at bottling (31mg/L). Intense red fruit, leather, violets, crushed herbs, firm tannins, good acidity.