Domaine Rocheville 'Le Prince' Saumur-Champigny 2015

This kind of maturity and complexity at this price point? Surely not… But, it is true. Whilst Saumur isn’t the sexiest region, it’s home to some classy Cab Franc that outperforms many more expensive Chinon’s. Lively red fruits and some spice, but just starting to show its graceful age, this is elegant and sophisticated.

This is probably the newest (and certainly most exciting) estate in the Saumur-Champigny appellation, even though the age of the vines average around 30 years. It was founded in 2005 by Philippe Porché and his wife, Agnès who purchased the vineyard and modest farmhouse from the estate of a deceased cooperateur-vigneron. A long-time wine enthusiast, Philippe originates from the Vendée, but has worked for most of his 50-odd years in Saumur. The wines are made under the guidance of young viticulturalist, Jérome Callet in a modern cellar, which would not look out of place in the Napa Valley, located on top of a limestone ridge over-looking the Loire.