AOC. Saumur-Champigny (Loire), France - 100% Cabernet Franc.
SANZAY SAUMUR-CHAMPIGNY LA HAYE DAMPIERRE 2022
Antoine Sanzay is one of the most compelling producers in Saumur-Champigny and a leading figure representing the new generation of Loire Valley winemakers. Heir to a multi-generational legacy of winegrowing, he began producing his own wines in 1999 using family-owned grapes, subsequently developing a personal project focused on interpreting the distinct terroirs of Saumur and Saumur-Champigny.
Operating from his winery in Varrains, Sanzay works primarily with Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc, guided by a philosophy rooted in respect for the vineyard, hand-harvesting, and minimal intervention in the cellar. His wines are distinguished by their precision, freshness, and ability to express the unique characteristics of each vineyard plot.
La Haye Dampierre is one of his single-plot Saumur-Champigny wines, sourced from a vineyard in Dampierre-sur-Loire. It is a single-plot Cabernet Franc that showcases the most elegant, fresh, and mineral facets of the Saumur terroir.
Philosophy
Antoine Sanzay’s philosophy is grounded in respect for the soil and the unique identity of each vineyard. His approach to viticulture and low-intervention winemaking aims to preserve fruit purity and allow the character of the terroir to shine through clearly.
His wines avoid the heavy influence of oak or excessive extraction, favoring fine tannins, freshness, and depth. La Haye Dampierre offers a beautifully defined Cabernet Franc in which fruit and minerality take center stage.
Winemaking and Vintage
The production and sourcing for the Antoine Sanzay Saumur-Champigny La Haye Dampierre 2022 rely on 100% Cabernet Franc grapes from a single plot located in Dampierre-sur-Loire. The harvest is carried out by hand, and fermentation proceeds using indigenous yeasts, aiming for a balanced extraction that preserves the vineyard's freshness and expression.
In the Loire Valley, the 2022 vintage was marked by a warm, dry cycle—conditions that fostered excellent grape ripening. The result is a Cabernet Franc boasting ripe fruit, structure, and concentration, while retaining the freshness needed to maintain balance.
Vineyard and Variety
La Haye Dampierre comes from a plot located in Dampierre-sur-Loire, within the Saumur-Champigny appellation. The vineyard is planted with Cabernet Franc, and its calcareous soils lend tension, depth, and a distinct mineral character to the wine.
The expression of the vineyard lies at the heart of this *cuvée*, offering a profile distinct from more generic bottlings in the appellation and showcasing Antoine Sanzay’s ability to interpret specific vineyard plots.
Tasting Note
Ruby red color of good intensity. The nose offers a clean, precise expression, featuring aromas of red and black fruits, violets, and spices, set against a mineral backdrop characteristic of Saumur Cabernet Franc.
On the palate, it is fresh, juicy, and structured, with a silky texture and fine tannins. Well-defined fruit flavors emerge, accompanied by acidity that provides tension and balance. The finish is long, mineral, and spicy, leaving a pleasant sensation of freshness.
An elegant, profound Saumur-Champigny with a distinct sense of place, combining the ripeness of the 2022 vintage with the freshness and precision that characterize Antoine Sanzay’s wines.
Food Pairings
Excellent with red meats, lamb, roast poultry, small game, and traditional dishes. It is also particularly well-suited to accompany Iberian cured meats, mushrooms, roasted vegetables, and aged cheeses. Its freshness and fine tannins allow it to pair well with dishes of some intensity without losing balance.
Technical Sheet
Producer: Antoine Sanzay
Wine: Saumur-Champigny La Haye Dampierre
Vintage: 2022
Appellation: AOC Saumur-Champigny
Origin: Loire Valley, France
Vineyard: La Haye Dampierre, Dampierre-sur-Loire
Variety: 100% Cabernet Franc
Type: Red wine
Viticulture: Organic farming
Harvest: Hand-picked
Fermentation: With indigenous yeasts
Alcohol: 13% vol.
Allergens: Contains sulfites
Format: 75 cl
Serving temperature: 14–16°C
