Les Athlètes du Vin, 2019 Saumur-Champigny
Cab Franc du Jour #27
Les Athlètes du Vin is a négociant project that seeks to showcase the diversity of grapes and terroirs from across the central Loire. The project’s founders are a group of winemakers called Vini Be Good, who both produce and distribute the wines of top organically and biodynamically run Loire estates across France. Around a dozen vignerons contribute fruit to the various labels from their own domaines, and this is one of several Cabernet Franc cuvées produced under the project alongside a Chinon and a St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil. All of the labels feature original illustrations by the celebrated cartoonist and artist Michel Tolmer.
This Saumur-Champigny is sourced from 35-year-old vines planted just a few kilometres southeast of Saumur in the communes of Saumur and Chaîntres. The vines are farmed by second-generation vigneron and winemaker Nicolas Pasquier of Le Prieuré d’Aunis. The wine sees a short maceration and is both vinified and aged in stainless steel. Worth noting as well: this wine contains 10% Pineau d’Aunis, which is entirely permitted under the Saumur-Champigny appellation rules.
Wine Details
Producer: Les Athlètes du Vin (ViniBeGood)
Appellation: Saumur-Champigny
Communes: Saumur, Dampierre-sur-Loire
Assemblage: 90% Cabernet Franc, 10% Pineau d’Aunis
Soils: Turonian tuffeau chalk bedrock, clay topsoil
Alcohol: 13.5%