2018 Saumur-Champigny, Clos Moleton, Arnaud Lambert, Loire
Critics reviews
Certified organic. Sandy, loamy clay over limestone. Exposure south-west. Aged 24 months in barrel.
Riper and more ‘solar’ on the nose, still with a red-fruit aspect. Bigger and more structured in style, the fruit is dense, and the tannic frame rigid and firm. A touch obdurate but has presence.
Drink 2023 - 2030
James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com (May 2022)
About this WINE
Domaine Arnaud Lambert
Domaine Arnaud Lambert is situated in the Anjou region, specifically in the village of Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg, which is regarded for its unique terroir and favourable grape-growing conditions.
Arnaud Lambert took over the family vineyards in 2009 and decided to transition them to organic and biodynamic farming practices. He believed these methods would enhance the quality of the grapes and express the true essence of the terroir in his wines. Today, the estate is certified organic and biodynamic, reflecting its commitment to sustainable viticulture and respect for the environment.
The vineyards of Domaine Arnaud Lambert span approximately 40 hectares (99 acres) and are planted with various grape varieties. The flagship grape of the estate is Chenin Blanc, which excels in the region and is used to produce a range of white wines, including dry, off-dry, and sweet styles. Arnaud Lambert is known for his meticulous vineyard work, including rigorous grape selection and hand harvesting, ensuring that only the finest grapes are used for winemaking.
In addition to Chenin Blanc, Domaine Arnaud Lambert also cultivates Cabernet Franc, the predominant red grape variety in the region. The estate produces red wines that showcase the character and elegance of Cabernet Franc, capturing the essence of the Anjou terroir.
Saumur-Champigny
The Saumur-Champigny wine region is located in the Loire Valley of France, specifically within the Anjou-Saumur area. It is renowned for producing high-quality red wines from Cabernet Franc and has held the prestigious designation of an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) since 1957.
Geographically, the region is situated on the banks of the Loire River, characterized by a diverse terroir that contributes to the unique characteristics of its wines. The vines benefit from a temperate climate influenced by the river, with warm summers and mild winters. The surrounding landscape features limestone slopes and a mix of clay, gravel, and sand soils, providing excellent drainage and ideal conditions for grape cultivation.
The dominant grape variety in Saumur-Champigny is Cabernet Franc, known locally as "Breton." It thrives in the region's terroir and produces red wines renowned for their elegance, finesse, and aromatic complexity. Cabernet Franc from Saumur-Champigny is typically characterized by its vibrant red fruit flavors, including raspberry, red currant, and cherry, along with herbal and floral notes such as violet and graphite.
Winemaking in Saumur-Champigny emphasizes the expression of the grape variety and the unique terroir. Vineyard practices include meticulous grape selection, manual harvesting, and sustainable viticultural techniques. Many producers are also adopting organic and biodynamic farming methods to enhance the quality and authenticity of the wines.
Saumur-Champigny wines are typically aged in various vessels, including stainless steel tanks, oak barrels, or a combination, depending on the winemaker's preferences. The aging process allows the wines to develop further complexity and refine their structure.
These red wines are celebrated for versatility, making them suitable for immediate consumption and aging, and they pair well with various dishes, including roasted meats, game, charcuterie, and cheeses.
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.
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Description
Arnaud Lambert is a leading light of Saumur, producing red and white wines of real character and finesse with a Burgundian approach. The Clos Moleton is his top red wine, made from a vineyard with 60cm clay topsoil over limestone bedrock. Aged for two years in new to two-year-old barrels, it has a creamy generosity to the fruit, underpinned by chalky tannins. Layers of dense red and black cherry vie for attention with olive notes and sweet oak spice. This is an age worthy wine which demonstrates the enormous potential of Cabernet Franc in the Loire.
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