Description
Château de Chaintres, Saumur-Champigny “Les Sables”
We should do a ‘30 Under 30’ list for wine. Right at the top would be this beautifully balanced, easy-drinking Saumur-Champigny.
The 2021 “Les Sables” boasts a lively purple/ruby color in the glass while showcasing plenty of lively aromas such as Mirabelle plum, blackberry, cassis, and fennel. These primary fruit components are underpinned with some of the earthier, classic elements of Saumur-based Cabernet Franc: violets, crushed gravel, sage, red pepper, and all-spice. It is brisk and fresh on the palate, medium-bodied and silky, though containing a thick-fruited core that finishes with violets and vibrant mineral intensity. The purity and pleasure of Cabernet Franc fruit is on full display, without any oak to mask the charming fruit and fine-grained tannins. We suggest serving this wine at around 60 degrees in Burgundy glasses (to emphasize those lovely aromatics) after a brief 15 to 30-minute decant. We suggest a nice juicy burger to pair with this wine, or perhaps a steak frites.
