Saumur-Champigny Les 3 Jean 2005 Tasting Notes

Saumur-Champigny Les 3 Jean 2003

Partners’ wine this year is from the very hot, yet excellent 2003 vintage. The Loire Valley escaped the worst effects of the canicule (heatwave), and enough rain fell at the right times to ensure that the harvested grapes were beautifully ripe, in perfect condition, and with enough acidity to produce a ‘once in a lifetime’ vintage.

Brilliant ruby in colour, it has an expressive bouquet of red and black fruits - raspberry, cherry, blackcurrant and blackberry.  On the palate you immediately notice the fruit, together with smooth tannins and gentle acidity, making this a delicious wine to drink now - or to keep.  Like all good Loire reds made from the Cabernet Franc grape it will improve with age, and can be drunk over the next 10 years if carefully cellared.

Saumur-Champigny is a summer-drinking wine par excellence; slightly chilled on a warm summer’s day it is lovely to drink on its own and is always refreshing.  It goes particularly well with charcuterie and other cold meats and is the perfect partner to mild cheeses and summer salads.  Its full but soft tannins also make it good with roasts, especially lamb and beef.  The 2003 vintage for red Loire wines is now universally accepted as one of the best, if not the best ever.  Drink it now or cellar it - either way this wine will provide you with delicious drinking.