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Château Yvonne is one of the most esteemed domaines in Saumur-Champigny, producing Cabernet Franc wines of striking finesse, purity, and terroir expression. The estate, located in Parnay at the heart of the appellation, is farmed organically and biodynamically, with the aim of fostering healthy soils, balanced vines, and fruit that authentically reflects its limestone-rich origins.

The vines for the Saumur-Champigny Rouge are primarily old Cabernet Franc, averaging between 40 and 80 years in age. They are rooted in the region’s classic tuffeau limestone soils, interlaced with clay and sandy topsoils. This terroir brings an unmistakable combination of tension, freshness, and minerality, while the Loire River’s moderating influence helps the fruit ripen evenly, retaining aromatic lift and lively acidity even in warmer vintages.

Winemaking at Château Yvonne is minimalistic but precise. Grapes are harvested by hand in small crates, carefully sorted, and fermented with indigenous yeasts in cement and stainless steel vats. Extraction is very gentle, prioritizing finesse over power, and the wine is then aged for 12–18 months in a mix of used oak barrels and large foudres, with no new wood employed. Sulfur additions are kept very low, and the wine is bottled without fining or filtration. The approach results in Cabernet Franc that is perfumed, structured, and profoundly linked to its origins.

The 2022 vintage of Saumur-Champigny Yvonne Rouge offers a luminous and elegant expression of Cabernet Franc. The nose is pure and lifted, with vibrant aromas of wild red berries—raspberry, redcurrant, and cranberry—layered with violets, graphite, tobacco leaf, and a subtle peppery spice. Beneath the fruit lies a stony, chalk-driven minerality that gives the bouquet precision and depth.

On the palate, the wine is finely chiseled, with silky tannins and a bright line of acidity that frames the red-fruited core. Flavors of juicy cherry, blackberry, and wild strawberry are accented by savory notes of dried herbs, green peppercorn, and crushed stone. Medium-bodied and vibrant, the 2022 shows both freshness and a subtle density that suggests excellent balance for cellaring. The finish is long, mouthwatering, and mineral-driven, with lingering floral and spicy nuances.

While approachable in its youth, this wine has the structure and clarity to evolve beautifully over the next 8–12 years, gaining complexity and tertiary character with age. It is a quintessential Saumur-Champigny—lithe, aromatic, and terroir-focused—showing why Château Yvonne is considered one of the leading producers in the appellation.

Pair it with classic Loire cuisine such as rillettes, roast duck, or lamb with herbs, or with lighter dishes like grilled vegetables and earthy mushrooms, which highlight the wine’s balance of fruit and savory minerality.