Domaine Clos Rougeard
Buy wines from Domaine Clos Rougeard
Domaine Clos Rougeard is one of France’s legendary wineries. What was once a modest family business in the Saumur-Champigny appellation for generations has, under the guidance of brothers Charly and Nady Foucault, evolved into an icon of the international wine world. Their uncompromising approach in the vineyard, minimal intervention in the cellar and a deep understanding of the chalk-rich soils around Chacé and Brézé near Saumur have made Clos Rougeard one of the most influential producers on the modern French wine scene. Long overlooked, the wines have been among the most sought-after and expensive in the Loire for around 20 years. The history of the Foucault family dates back to the 17th century. They have been cultivating vineyards in Chacé, south of Saumur, since the 18th century. The estate has borne the name ‘Clos Rougeard’ since the 19th century. However, the domaine’s national breakthrough came in the 1970s, when Charly and Nady Foucault took over the business. Whilst many producers focused on high yields and modern cellar techniques, they consistently adopted a natural approach, drastically reducing yields and ageing their wines for exceptionally long periods in barriques. In doing so, they became pioneers of the artisanal movement that would later become known as ‘vin nature’ – even though their wines were not dogmatically classified as belonging to this style and there was no organic certification. Nevertheless, the vineyards have never come into contact with chemicals.
Today, the domaine comprises around 15 hectares of vineyards. The focus is on Cabernet Franc, from which the famous red wines ‘Le Clos’, ‘Les Poyeux’ and ‘Le Bourg’ are produced. Each of these vineyards has its own character: whilst “Le Clos” embodies elegance and freshness, “Les Poyeux” combines a silky texture with subtle spice. “Le Bourg”, whose vines are in some cases over 80 years old, is regarded as a monumental wine with exceptional depth and the potential to age for decades. The range is complemented by one of the most sought-after dry Chenin Blancs from the Loire, the “Brézé”, named after the vineyard of the same name at Château de Brézé. Old vines, meticulous vine training and rigorous grape selection form the basis for its exceptional quality. Harvesting is carried out exclusively by hand. In the cellar, fermentation and ageing take place with the utmost restraint. The wines ferment spontaneously with natural yeasts and then mature for many months in French barriques, with the use of oak always serving the wine and not the other way round. Following the death of Jean-Louis “Charly” Foucault in 2015, his brother sold the estate in 2017 to brothers Martin and Olivier Bouygues (owners of Château Montrose, amongst others). The new owners invested in the vineyards and cellars, but consistently upheld the Foucault brothers’ signature style. Today, an experienced team oversees the work, whilst the estate’s philosophy and style have remained largely unchanged. The wines of Clos Rougeard are characterised by a unique blend of power and elegance. The Cabernet Francs display aromas of black cherry, cassis, violets, tobacco, graphite and damp stones, underpinned by a delicate acidity and exceptionally precise tannins. The Chenin Blancs combine ripe yellow fruit, citrus notes, honey, herbs and a distinctive chalky minerality with tremendous tension and longevity. Clos Rougeard has had a lasting impact on the reputation of the Loire Valley and has demonstrated that Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc can rank among the world’s greatest grape varieties. Hardly any other winery has transformed the international perception of the Loire as much as Domaine Clos Rougeard. Their wines are now regarded as cult classics and rank among the most fascinating expressions of French winemaking artistry.
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