Within Clos Rougeard's trio of red wines, Les Poyeux best emphasises the elegant, silky house style. The nose is nimble and focused, showing notes of old leather, dried herbs, potter's clay and red plums. The mid-weight palate is simultaneously refined, sleek and dusty, with dried cherry and crushed gravel flavours. In recent years, Rougeard has ascended from its former place of relative secrecy, but I'm surprised by its often-overlooked place in Cabernet Franc conversations that usually centre around blue-chip Right Bank Bordeaux châteaux. Rougeard is every bit their equal.

Only recently released, the purple-colored 2010 Saumur-Champigny Les Poyeux attracts with a delicate and very elegant, though not over-concentrated, bouquet of floral and fruity aromas exhibiting Mediterranean herbs and very clear and coolish cherry and wild berry aromas along with cedar wood flour. Full-bodied, smooth, and intense, this absolutely delicate and elegant red is structured by the finest tannins and a delicious acidity that let this persistent wine sing on your palate. It combines finesse with intensity in a very remarkable manner and is divinely balanced. A great wine to drink now or in the next 20-25 years.