Château de Villeneuve - Saumur-Champigny Vieilles Vignes 2022

Still active on his estate, Jean-Pierre Chevalier has passed on his passion for wine to his two daughters, Caroline and Cécile. They make the most of this limestone slope in Souzay, where the Clos de la Bienboire sets the tone as a delicious red and is followed by the velvety and refined Vieille Vigne cuvée. The whites are no exception; the wines age beautifully in the bottle, and the older vintages are true benchmarks. With prices that remain attractive, this is one of the most exciting certified organic estates in the region.

Still restrained and well-structured, Les Vieilles Vignes displays a concentrated, sun-kissed character, framed by refined tannins. Still in its prime, it needs three to four years to open up.

Villeneuve has historically been a great terroir for dry and, at times, sweet Chenin Blanc (Coteaux de Saumur appellation), with remarkable aging potential. Jean-Pierre Chevallier manages the family vineyard—partly located on the spectacular Côte de Souzay—with high standards and passion. Faithfully capturing the essence of this limestone slope, this oenologist—trained in the Bordeaux school—crafts consistent, deeply colored reds with fresh, vibrant structure. He has gradually refined his aging techniques and consistently established himself as one of the greatest winemakers in the Saumur region. We are thoroughly impressed by his perfectly balanced wines, which offer sensual interpretations of Cabernet Franc without compromising their terroir.

The 2022 Vieilles Vignes is fragrant and floral, with aromas of violet and ripe red cherry. It has a delicate texture with lovely minerality, good concentration, and a smooth mid-palate. Despite a warm and mild vintage, it remains very refreshing and flavorful on the finish. I’m delighted to be tasting it right now. You will be, too.