2022 Saumur, Rouge, Le Corbin, Domaine Théo Blet, Loire

Domaine Théo Blet

Théo is the fourth-generation Saumur winemaker of the family and is slowly taking vines over from his father. Théo is a winemaker and not a vine farmer like his father. He is gradually taking the reins of key parcels from the 16-hectare family Domaine to make his own labeled cuvees.

With a deep respect for the land, Théo started the organic conversion two years ago on the plots from which he is making his wines. Everything is picked by hand. His 100% Chenin cuvee, La Peyanne, is his flagship wine and a lieu-dit in the commune de Courchamps. Only 3500 bottles were produced in 2022. Théo also decided to make a 100% Cabernet Franc cuvee called Le Corbin situated in the commune of Ulmes. Only 1500 bottles were produced in 2022.

Today, La Peyanne and Le Corbin represent a total of 1 hectare of production, while the rest of the grapes continue to be sent to the local cooperative with whom his father has been working for years. The idea is to expand the production area for Théo's own Domaine label in the coming years. He states his challenge is re-establishing wine production across the estate to showcase a heritage of several generations. With only a couple of vintages under his belt, he is already making noise in the Valley as a young, dynamic grower with big projects in mind. One to closely watch in the coming years!

Saumur Rouge

Saumur is situated along the Loire River in the Anjou-Saumur subregion of the larger Loire Valley. It is mainly known for its red wines from Cabernet Franc, which display a range of flavours, from red and black fruit to herbal and earthy notes. In some cases, small percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon or other red grape varieties may be blended in.

The region's terroir, including its soil composition and climate, plays a significant role in shaping the character of Saumur Rouge wines. The soils can vary from limestone to tuffeau, a chalky limestone, which contributes to the mineral qualities often found in the wines.

Saumur Rouge wines can be characterised by their vibrant acidity, moderate tannins, and a profile that can include red fruit flavours, such as raspberry and cherry, along with herbal and spicy notes. The wines are typically medium-bodied and can be enjoyed relatively young, though some versions benefit from ageing. They pair well with a variety of dishes. Given their moderate tannins and bright acidity, they can complement a range of foods, including roasted meats, poultry, and dishes with herbs and spices. The versatility of the wines makes them suitable for different culinary experiences.

While Saumur Rouge is known for its red wines, the broader Saumur appellation also produces sparkling wines, particularly from the Chenin Blanc grape. These sparkling wines can range from dry to sweet and are often referred to as Saumur Brut or Saumur Mousseux.

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc is widely planted in Bordeaux and is the most important black grape grown in the Loire. In the Médoc it may constitute up to 15% of a typical vineyard - it is always blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and is used to add bouquet and complexity to the wines. It is more widely used in St.Emilion where it adapts well to the cooler and moister clay soils - Cheval Blanc is the most famous Cabernet Franc wine in the world, with the final blend consisting of up to 65% of the grape.

Cabernet Franc thrives in the Loire where the cooler growing conditions serve to accentuate the grape's herbaceous, grassy, lead pencil aromas. The best wines come from the tuffeaux limestone slopes of Chinon and Bourgeil where growers such as Jacky Blot produce intense well-structured wines that possess excellent cellaring potential.