Brendan Stater-West Saumur Rouge 2021

Brendan Stater-West Saumur Rouge is a Cabernet Franc from young vines within the old walls of the Ripaille castle on the Brézé hill.

Brendan Stater-West came to Saumur by way of a job at Clos Rougeard and now farms 1.5 hectares in the Brézé lieu-dit of La Ripaille, a single west-facing parcel enclosed by the walls of the ancient castle. The topsoil runs about a metre and a half of sandy loam over Turonian limestone, a combination he says gives a lighter texture and a softer touch to the tannins. He bottles a more age-worthy red under the lieu-dit name from a hectare of 60-year-old vines; this Saumur Rouge comes from his younger plantings. The grapes were entirely destemmed and there was no extraction at all, no pump-overs or punch-downs. Fermentation was wild in concrete and the wine was then raised six months in stainless steel.

Made for early enjoyment but with the balance to hold four or five years; serve lightly chilled at 14–16°C with charcuterie, grilled sausages or a goat's cheese salad.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.