2000 Domaine Saint-Vincent - Léa, Loire, France, Saumur Champigny

Since the fifteenth century, the winemakers named the lands in the name of their patron, St. Vincent. A land aptly named hints that it was not chosen by chance.

In 1984 Patrick Vadé took over the family domain. Gradually he developed a strong and recognized reputation in the Loire Valley.

Domaine St. Vincent has 35 hectares of vines planted on hillsides overlooking the Loire. The soil is composed of a layer of limestone and tufa. The vine dives in the soil, to draw its food to give to the wine flexibility, which is a characteristic of Saumur-Champigny.

The tufa has the distinction to absorb like a sponge the rain falling in winter and return it to the vine, as needed, during dry periods. Thus, the vine suffers only very rarely of a lack of water.

This wine is not produced every year, but only in the excellent vintages. The way of winemaking is directed to extract the finesse and power of the cabernet franc. The barrel aging develops a rich and smooth wine.