This is juicy red is cabernet franc at its most lively, made by the kind of guy you envy at your 10 year college reunion--moved to France to teach english, fell in love with a beautiful french woman, and started making wine from some of the best vineyards in the Loire (you know the type). The bottle is herbal, peppery, and bright, and is particularly refreshing with a slight chill. The Saumur Rouge comes from a young south-west vineyard of Cabernet Franc in Brézé, in the lieu-dit La Ripaille. The soil profile is predominately sandy-clay of 1.5m in depth. Brendan is just the second grower with La Ripaille. (The other is Antoine Foucault of Domaine du Collier.) Harvest is sorted in the vineyard then destemmed 100% upon arrival at Brendan’s facility. Maceration is based on an infusion style, no extraction (no pump-overs, pigeage, delestage) and lasts 6 days in order to preserve delicate and purity in texture. Aging is also in stainless steel for 6 months.