Domaine Guiberteau Saumur Les Chapaudaises Rouge 2021

100% Cabernet Franc. Les Chapaudaises is in the Bizay terroir, in the small village of Épieds, within half a kilometre of Saumur’s prized hill of Brézé. It’s next to Guiberteau’s monopole Clos de Guichaux, on the same sandy tuffeau limestone. The vines are a mix of Chenin Blanc and old-vine Cabernet Franc. One hectare of the Chenin is leased to Romain’s right-hand man, Brendan Stater-West, with the remaining Chenin finding its way into the Saumur Blanc. But it’s the 1948-planted Cabernet Franc that is Guiberteau’s prize here. The fruit was destemmed and fermented spontaneously in concrete. The wine aged in conical Rousseau vats for one year before resting in a tank for six months. Here, the nose offers a lovely blend of dark cherries, a nip of liquorice and rosemary/roasted herbal notes. The palate is neat and generous, and while tannins are there, they are super-fine and polished. You could call it a Pinot-like vintage for this impressive vineyard.