The phrase 'ripe yet precise' encapsulates the 2017 Brézé, Clos Rougeard's single and singular, dry white wine. It has two different fruit spectrums - there's citrus fruit from the north-facing vines and a later picked, riper, almost tropical, cooked pineapple character. Fermented in barrel, there are oak-derived vanilla flavors that join the fruit while a whiff of match stick indicates a lightly reductive character that needs air. It is round yet retains a bright, racy freshness that you often see in Brézé whites. Focused and fine, this has the substance and line to evolve gracefully.

Smoke, spices, ripe orchard fruits and herbs preface the 2017 Saumur Blanc Brézé, a medium to full-bodied, round and dense wine with bright acids and aromas of ginger and exotic fruits on the finish. This is a very classic Brézé that could age nicely over the next decade and more.

Clos Rougeard’s sole white is a Chenin Blanc from a plot of 100-year-old vines. Delicate and pretty nose of wildflowers, apricot blossoms and pear. Lively and full of juicy fruit on the palate, featuring green apple, melon and white grapefruit, leading to a lovely salty finish. Balanced and fresh. Has great potential but won’t be released for some time. Aged 18 months in oak, three months in bottle.

100% Chenin Blanc. Malolactic completed. Aged 15–18 months in barrel (20% new). Bright and lifted with more vivacity than the 2018. Lively and tense on the palate with initially a mealy note, then the citrus gradually coming through. Lots of freshness on the finish. (JL)