| Country | France |
| Region | Loire, Saumur-Champigny |
| Producer | Clos Rougeard |
| Year | 2017 |
| Classification | AOC Saumur-Champigny |
| Grapes | 100% Cabernet France |
| Color | Red |
| Alcohol % | 13 |
| Drinking Window | Now – 2045 |
| Condition | Perfect. Actual bottle shown in gallery. |
| Volume | 750 ml |
2017
Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny Le Bourg 2017
Ready — youthful
The Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny Le Bourg 2017 is not yet open for business. Le Bourg is the most structured of the three reds, built for the long haul, and the 2017 vintage — moderate in scale, classically proportioned — has produced a wine that early reviewers consistently flag as one to hold rather than drink.
Cabernet Franc from old vines on clay topsoil, raised in barrel under the close supervision of the outgoing Foucault regime, this is a wine in its closed phase: structure, dark fruit, the savoury herbal and graphite notes of ripe Cabernet Franc, with tannins still firmly in place. Drink 2028–2040. Sourced in excellent condition.
This article is subject to the margin scheme in accordance with Article 28b of the Dutch VAT Act; VAT is not shown on the invoice.
€ 265,00
Last bottle available
| Weight | 1 kg |
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Details
Reviews
Vinous - 97
The 2017 Le Bourg exemplifies the site’s characteristic power and structure. This is not a wine that you should buy to drink now. This Cabernet Franc is almost beast-like compared with Les Poyeux, which is relatively accessible and graceful. It has rounded shoulders and finely woven yet structured tannins, which could be attributed to the clay topsoil of the Le Bourg site. It’s a heady expression that displays the smoky bacon notes that can be found when it’s a baby wine in barrel. It also offers mocha notes, and a heady perfume that lingers in the air as if you’re in an Indian garden, followed with bergamot and tea leaf. This is a wine that moves with power and direction. Due for release – on allocation – to those lucky enough to be on the buying list for Clos Rougeard.
Decanter - 94
The nose broadens out with a more obvious sense of fruit followed by some herbal and mineral impressions. A roundness and depth to the fruits comes through that crystalline purity on the palate, with a note of minerality adding complexity at the end. Vintage conditions are reflected in a sense of tension.
Jancis Robinson - 18
New barrels. Dense crimson hue. Complex nose with chalk and chocolate notes to the fore. Punchy and powerful with plenty of drive, the tannins plethoric but extremely fine. Power and finesse combined. Huge potential.
Clos Rougeard
Clos Rougeard has been one of the reference points for Saumur-Champigny since the 1960s, shaped by the Foucault brothers and their uncompromising focus on limestone terroir and low yields. The estate works outside the mainstream — no concessions to fashion, no shortcuts in the cellar. Releases are small and demand consistently outpaces supply. What reaches the market is the result of a long and particular process — and it shows in the glass.
Terroir
Le Bourg is a single parcel of very old vines in the centre of Chacé. The topsoil is clay — heavier than the surrounding parcels — sitting over the tuffeau limestone bedrock that defines Saumur-Champigny. Clay holds water and slows ripening; tuffeau provides drainage and a steady mineral foundation. This combination is what gives Le Bourg its structural weight relative to Les Poyeux and Le Clos: more tannin, more density, a longer arc of development. The vine age is also a factor — old roots draw consistently from the limestone subsoil regardless of vintage conditions, which is part of why Le Bourg is the cuvée that asks the most time and rewards the most patience.
What others say after opening the bottle
I like that I can buy good wines here without allocations. The bottles I’ve opened were exactly where they needed to be. Jannes his advice felt honest and personal, which helped me decide. Delivery was careful and straightforward. K. Loesberg
I spoke with Jannes before ordering because I wanted additional photos of the bottle, and that gave me confidence. The wine was ready to drink. Being able to buy single bottles for the occasion instead of full cases suits me well. Everything arrived perfect. T. Driessen
What I appreciate most is not having to guess anymore. I prefer to buy wines that are in the middel of their drinking window. Jannes's guidance was calm and helpful, and the delivery was handled with care. J. Annaert
Jannes helped me choose for a special food pairing, and the whole process felt easy and trustworthy. I don’t have a cellar to store wines for years. Buying loose bottles in their drinking window is a big advantage. Shipping was good. B. Denruyter
After opening too many wines too early in the past, this feels different. The timing has been spot on. I like the freedom of buying without allocations and choosing single bottles. Delivery has been consistently good. R. Bontemps
The advice from Jannes made the selection feel personal, not generic. The wine I ordered for Christmas was exactly as expected. I didn’t need a full case, so buying individual bottles works well. Everything arrived safely and on time. D. Smits
Great to enjoy wines without second-guessing. Jannes his advice helped narrow things down, and I appreciate being able to order just a few bottles. Delivery is good, quick and well handled. W. Snijders
This suits how I drink wine now. I don’t want to wait years or buy cases. The bottles arrive ready, the advice is solid, and the process feels dependable from start to finish. A. van Kempen
Bottles offered privately, before anything appears online
Private Access, Without the Noise
Beyond the public selection, I occasionally source wines available in very small quantities — offered privately, or never formally listed. Through the Club Grandcru WhatsApp channel, these bottles are shared directly and selectively: mature vintages, single parcels, and bottles that never reach the open market. Early access is reserved for members.
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Bibi Graetz • Charles Lachaux • Clos Rougeard • Domaine Armand Rousseau • Domaine Georges Mugneret Gibourg • Domaine Jacques-Frederic Mugnier • Domaine Jamet • Domaine Labet • Domaine Rostaing • Domaine Yves Gangloff • E. Guigal • François Raveneau • Gaspard Brochet • Pierre Gonon • Richard Leroy • Weingut Keller