Sanzay ‘La Paterne’ Cabernet Franc 2023

Antoine’s ‘entry level’ Cabernet Franc is from his sites in Varrains, Dampierre and St-Cyr-en-Bourg from vines also planted in the 1970s. The soils are limestone, clay and sand with notable levels of iron. Grapes are hand harvested, sorted in the winery, destemmed and “infused” over a 3 week maceration in cement tank and then aged for a further 9 months (60% in cement, 40% in large wooden vat) without sulphur. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered with a tiny dose of sulphur.  

Antoine Sanzay is widely reviewed as one of the most respected producers in Saumur-Champigny today. Among followers of natural wines he is one of the Loire’s rock stars but these wines transcend labels. Antoine crafts some of the finest Cabernet Francs from the Loire, and anywhere for that matter, and his tiny releases of Chenin Blanc are cult. It’s no wonder given his patrimony of vineyards and mentors. Best of all they still represent great value compared to other profiled names and are a joy to drink, so vibrant, expressive and layered.