GrangeSaint-Sauveur‘LesArceaux’Rosé2021

<p>Loire reds are some of the most expressive, intellectually stimulating, and soul-satisfying bottles in the cellar, but they’re rarely admitted into the upper echelons of ‘fine wine’. Stopping us in our tracks at a recent tasting, Grange Saint-Sauveur makes an excellent case for admission.</p><p>Cellarmaster at La Tour du Bon in Bandol from 1994 to 2006, Antoine Pouponneau worked as oenologist at Corsica’s leading domaine, Clos Canarelli, where his expertise balancing microbiology with low-intervention winemaking drew the attention of some seriously prestigious clients, including Château Latour and Cheval Blanc.</p><p>Now, Antoine and his wife Alice have taken over 6.5ha of vineyards (including 80-to-100-year-old vines) in Le Thoureil, between Angers and Saumur in the Loire Valley.</p><p>Using biodynamics and a horse-drawn plough, they farm Grolleau, Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Pineau d’Aunis, and Gamay to craft wines which marry gorgeously spicy, wild red fruit characters with silky textures and juicy acidity.</p><p>Although made outside of the local appellations’ strict rules and therefore labelled as ‘humble’ Vin de France, the wines of this promising young domaine are worthy of attention.</p><p>Soft red fruit, wild berries, and tangerine acidity. Creamy and moreish.</p>