Sanzay Saumur “Beauregard” 2019

We generally prefer our Cabernet Franc unoaked and pure (see last paragraph), but it’s hard to pass up Sanzay’s Saumur-Champigny rouge “Beauregard.” If you like your Loire reds more serious and ageworthy, here’s an exciting find. Today the nose shows toasty oak, but it’s already started to integrate beautifully into the fruit; and we expect the trend to continue. The 50+ year old vines contribute impressive richness, which the Sanzays have handled masterfully — despite all of the inky, old-vine material, the shape of the wine remains fine and precise (even angular). This is Cabernet Franc at its most Burgundian — intense, earthy fruit that somehow retains its lift and sophistication. We expect this to improve for another 3-4 years, and wouldn’t be surprised it it was still impressive in 10.