2021 Château Yvonne Saumur-Champigny Rouge "Le Baumeray", Loire Valley, France

ABOUT THE WINE

‘Le Beaumeray’ is Château Yvonne’s top cuvée, sourced from a single lieu-dit on a high-elevation, south-facing plateau of limestone bedrock and thin topsoils—conditions that produce intensely mineral, structured wines. The 2021 vintage was shaped by a cool and challenging growing season, favoring delicacy and aromatic precision over volume and ripeness.

Biodynamically farmed and hand-harvested, the fruit underwent spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts in wooden vats, followed by 18 months of élevage in used French oak barrels. No fining or filtration. The wine is compact and age-worthy, showing less flesh than in warmer vintages but more nuance and transparency.

Ideal with earthy, umami-rich dishes like roasted lamb shoulder, wild mushroom ragù, or aged Loire Valley cheeses.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

Château Yvonne is a jewel of the Saumur-Champigny appellation, with roots dating back to the 17th century and a modern revival under Mathieu Vallée, who took over in 2007. The estate comprises just 11 hectares, all farmed biodynamically, with a focus on expressing each vineyard’s unique identity through low-intervention winemaking.

Vallée’s wines are known for their tension, clarity, and aging potential, and ‘Le Beaumeray’ is the flagship red—a wine of place, restraint, and quiet power. His commitment to farming and precision elevates Château Yvonne to the top tier of Loire Valley producers, with a loyal following among collectors and sommeliers worldwide.