96 points La Revue du Vin de France: "Coming from a terroir rich in flint and very old vines, Memoires always asserts itself with a more intense personality and a sumptuous length. We think a hint of extra maturity will bring more meaty comfort... (2021)"
94-96 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "These Cabernet Franc vines were planted in 1904, which is why Thierry feels they carry the ‘memories’ of the appellation. It was vinified in a 25-hectolitre foudre from Stockinger. Although it has a less saturated appearance than the 2018 Clos de l’Echelier just tasted, the nose is still filled with character. It is dark yet perfumed with rose petals and peonies, hugely expressive but still focused and tense. The palate follows exactly this style, with great limestone energy, dark and focused like the nose, with damsons, currants and roses. A much more tense and mineral style, undeniably limestone-structured. Hugely impressive. (Feb 2019)"
95 points Yohan Castaing (Decanter): "It stands to say that this will prove to be a memorable wine, sourced from old vines planted in 1904 on a siliceous soil known as silex. Its smoke-infused nose remains a bit austere for the moment, so the wine requires some aeration, but it's a superb wine of depth and density yet without heaviness. There's astonishing length on the palate. All this points towards a destiny of age-worthiness. Drinking Window: 2025-2035. (Feb 2019)"
94 points Stephan Reinhardt (Wine Advocate): "The 2018 Saumur Champigny Les Mémoires is deep, bloody and spicy on the nose, with intense but tart fruit aromas of dark berries, tobacco and leather. Still fine but for now more brutish than the highly elegant 2019. On the palate, this is a smooth, refined and elegant, vital and refreshing Cabernet from 114-year-old vines. It is remarkably finessed but still a bit astringent and animally on the finish. I am also pretty sure that this 2018 will emerge as a great Loire red wine one day. The finish, with all its vitality, citrus freshness and silex nerviness, is superb and haughty, as is the perfectly ripe fruit and the silky tannins. Tasted in June 2021. Drink: 2024-2045. (Oct 2021)"
94 points Jason Wilson (Vinous): "From some of the oldest Cabernet Franc vines in France , planted in 1904 on silex soil. Aged in 2,500-liter foudre for 12 months. Richer, more generous and more open, a Loire Cabernet Franc that’s perhaps easier for newbies to understand and love. There’s more fruit here – aromas and flavors of blackberry, black cherry and plum - plus streaky, chalky tannins from midpalate to finish. This might be where I would point a Barolo or Brunello drinker who’s exploring Loire. Drink: 2022-2045. (Jul 2020)"
94-96 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "These Cabernet Franc vines were planted in 1904, which is why Thierry feels they carry the ‘memories’ of the appellation. It was vinified in a 25-hectolitre foudre from Stockinger. Although it has a less saturated appearance than the 2018 Clos de l’Echelier just tasted, the nose is still filled with character. It is dark yet perfumed with rose petals and peonies, hugely expressive but still focused and tense. The palate follows exactly this style, with great limestone energy, dark and focused like the nose, with damsons, currants and roses. A much more tense and mineral style, undeniably limestone-structured. Hugely impressive. (Feb 2019)"
95 points Yohan Castaing (Decanter): "It stands to say that this will prove to be a memorable wine, sourced from old vines planted in 1904 on a siliceous soil known as silex. Its smoke-infused nose remains a bit austere for the moment, so the wine requires some aeration, but it's a superb wine of depth and density yet without heaviness. There's astonishing length on the palate. All this points towards a destiny of age-worthiness. Drinking Window: 2025-2035. (Feb 2019)"
94 points Stephan Reinhardt (Wine Advocate): "The 2018 Saumur Champigny Les Mémoires is deep, bloody and spicy on the nose, with intense but tart fruit aromas of dark berries, tobacco and leather. Still fine but for now more brutish than the highly elegant 2019. On the palate, this is a smooth, refined and elegant, vital and refreshing Cabernet from 114-year-old vines. It is remarkably finessed but still a bit astringent and animally on the finish. I am also pretty sure that this 2018 will emerge as a great Loire red wine one day. The finish, with all its vitality, citrus freshness and silex nerviness, is superb and haughty, as is the perfectly ripe fruit and the silky tannins. Tasted in June 2021. Drink: 2024-2045. (Oct 2021)"
94 points Jason Wilson (Vinous): "From some of the oldest Cabernet Franc vines in France , planted in 1904 on silex soil. Aged in 2,500-liter foudre for 12 months. Richer, more generous and more open, a Loire Cabernet Franc that’s perhaps easier for newbies to understand and love. There’s more fruit here – aromas and flavors of blackberry, black cherry and plum - plus streaky, chalky tannins from midpalate to finish. This might be where I would point a Barolo or Brunello drinker who’s exploring Loire. Drink: 2022-2045. (Jul 2020)"
| Product SKU | 343260 |
| Producer | Roches Neuves |
| Country | France |
| Region | Loire |
| SubRegion | Saumur/Saumur-Champigny |
| Varietal | Cabernet Franc |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| Ships To |
