April 2017 Imported Wine: 2013 Les Pouches Rouge, Cave des Vignerons de Saumur, Saumur-Loire Valley, France
fine Wine Source Wine Club
April 2017
Cave des Vignerons de Saumur: A cooperative of winemakers in the Saumur appellation of the Loire Valley set up their operations on the top of the hill in Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg in 1957. The cooperative has 272 members, including 156 growers over 1750 hectares and employs 52 people. The group that created the Les Pouches Rouge includes Yvon, Genevieve and is headed up by Robert and Marcel; two strong willed vintners whose family history is literally as deeply rooted as the ten kilometers of underground “galleries” that were originally quarried for the soft limestone “Tuffeau.” This rock was used to build the magnificent castles and chateaus in the region and the tunnels that remain have been converted into perfect wine cellars. Saumur is a picturesque city dominated by one of the most famous castles in France that is built from the “Tuffeau” limestone. The Loire Valley region in the heart of France is famous for its natural beauty, magnificent architecture, castles, and great wine. The region is rich in history and culture: The Renaissance writer Rabelais was born here, Joan of Arc led her French troops to victory in the Hundred Year’s War in the Loire, and the region is known as the cradle of the French Language, with the purest French spoken here. The Valley contains several distinct wine regions, each with its own characteristic varietals, appellations, and styles. As a testament to all the contributions to French and Global Culture the region has to offer, The Loire Valley was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
About: The Les Pouches Rouge is 100% Cabernet Franc and grown in the Cabernet d’Anjou appellation which is planted to 75 hectares (185 acres). The annual production is only about 5,000 hectaliters (132,086 gallons) with yields of about 60hl/ha. The grapes are hand harvested and completely destemmed for 15-20 days, depending on the time of the harvest. The juice is extracted manually and fermented in temperature controlled vats. After fermentation the wine is bottled early and stored in the underground cellars, dug out of the limestone “Tuffeau,” where it ages without exposure to light and at a controlled temperature. The wine is best served at fifty-seven degrees Fahrenheit and can be kept with a slight chill throughout serving. Varietals: 100% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: 12.5%…Drink now through next year.
Tasting Notes: A beautiful deep ruby red color and a bouquet of red fruit with black currant and raspberry make it attractive as soon as it hits the glass. A fruity flavor and spice greets the palate with characteristic soft tannins and an elegant finish.
Food Pairings: Enjoy this Saumur Cabernet Franc with red meat, game, or poultry and cheese. It is becoming increasingly popular with seafood dishes and Asian cuisine, served partially chilled throughout the meal.
Jim Lutfy’s Thoughts: Cabernet Franc at its best!! Soil and earth driven spicy red with a long lingering finish, best served with pepper steak or spicy pork dishes!!!