Arnaud Lambert Saumur Champigny 'Clos Moleton' Cabernet Franc 2019

100% Cabernet Franc from vines averaging more than 40 years old planted on sandy-clayey silt over Turonian Superior limestone (30 cm below) on the western side of the Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg town with a slightly south-west facing exposition. 100% de-stemmed and fermented with indigenous yeast in tank after separating free run and press juices with no SO2 for ageing and just 35 ppm SO2 at bottling after 18-24 months of ageing in barrels (30% new and 70% 1 to 2 years old) then moved to tank for 8 months of blending. Very deep and complex aromas with the palate offering spicy, deep and perfumed fruit with very fine tannins and excellent freshness. Bottled un-fined and un-filtered.

’The 2019 is a ripe yet balanced style offering the light to medium-weight style that is so classic of Saumur-Champigny. Clos Moleton is a terroir made of clay over limestone. The silken, soft, roumdness of clay shows on the mid-palate but the limestone bedrock is just 60cm below the surface. The tannins provide a mass of finely textured chalkiness. Young, primary in style with a fine line of acidity that acts like an arrow through the mouth carrying the black cherry, raspberry, olive tapenade and rosemary-like fragrance on and on. Far too young to drink, give this at least 5 years but based on this site's history, best consumed at 8-20 years.’ 95 points, Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous, June 2022.