Clos Rougeard Saumur Blanc Brézé 2014

98 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "From what is a great vintage for whites in the region, this example shows a hugely reductive character, with delicate glacé citrus fruits wrapped in flinty and smoky limestone notes. On the palate it is pure, cool and fresh, supple and understated at first, then broader in the middle, with substance and energy. The middle is full of intertwined citrus fruits and stone fruits, with great energy and a very correct balance. Fantastic drive and minerality here, with a remarkable tension and fabulous length too. This is an astonishing Brézé with a great future ahead of it. Stunning. (Jun 2019)"

95 points (17.5/20) La Revue du Vin de France: "The Brézé 2014 is naturally marked by its fine toasted reduction and salivating, long-lasting dry extract richness. A majestic white. (2019)"

93 points Decanter: There's a gentle touch of well-integrated oak on the nose, alongside hazelnut, butter and a salty tang. The taut mouthfeel giving a strong mineral, saline sensation and yet the overall impression is of tactile heft without the usual airy lightness. Drinking Window: 2022-2030. (Feb 2019)"

Importer notes: "Every three-star restaurant in France hustles to get a small allocation. No one in America, outside of the lucky few, have heard of it (ed note: this was written at a time when that was actually true!) This estate has been in the family for several generations. Basically, the Foucault brothers (Nadi and Charlie) tend exceptional vineyards, harvest at small yields, vinify in barrel, let the wines bubble for a couple of years in a glacially cold cellar and bottle without filtration. Charles Joguet, the great winemaker of Chinon, once said: 'there are two suns. One shines outside for everybody. The second shines in the Foucaults’ cellar.'"