Le Petite St Vincent 2023 Cabernet Franc, Saumur Champigny (Loire)

The Wine

As is common for the Loire Valley, this wine is 100% Cabernet Franc. Grown on clay and limestone soils over tuffeau (the valley's famed white limestone) in the heart of Saumur-Champigny, a region in the valley's western side, located on the south side of the river with mostly north-facing vineyards - no longer a bad thing in these days of a warming climate.

Dominique Joseph, (“Pélo”, to his friends) vinifies his Pelo wines with a focus on purity and terroir expression. Grapes are fully destemmed, followed by a long (22–30 days) maceration in concrete vats with pigeage (old-fashioned foot pressing!), délestage (drain the liquid from the tank and return it on top of the skins - a more oxidative approach), and remontage (pump-over) to extract color and fine tannins.

Fermentation is temperature-controlled, and aging takes place mostly in concrete (about 90%) with a small portion in older oak barrels (10%) for 12 months.

The resulting wine shows bright red fruit aromas of cherry and raspberry, layered with subtle floral notes and a touch of graphite minerality that is a marker for Loire Valley reds. On the palate the wine is fresh and vibrant, with supple tannins, lively acidity, and a medium body. The finish is clean and precise, making it a classic, approachable expression of Saumur-Champigny.

Classic food pairings include roast chicken, charcuterie, grilled vegetables, and Loire goat cheeses, where the wine’s freshness and structure complement the cheese's acidic, savory and earthy flavors.

The Winery

Dominique Joseph (Pelo) is a fourth-generation vigneron farming about 31 acres almost entirely planted to Cabernet Franc. Vine ages range from twenty to fifty years, and the domaine has been 'practicing organic' since the early 1990s, officially certified in 2010. No chemical herbicides or pesticides are used, reflecting Dominique’s commitment to soil health and biodiversity above and below ground. Known for his humility and constant reassessment of vineyard practices, he has earned a reputation as one of the Loire’s elite Cabernet Franc producers, alongside neighbors (and Loire Valley royalty!) such as Clos Rougeard, Antoine Sanzay, and Thierry Germain.