Cabernet Franc for Drinking, not Collecting
Château de Targé is one of the classic names of Saumur, with a history stretching back centuries and vineyards planted on the limestone-rich slopes around Parnay. This is Cabernet Franc in its natural habitat: not jammy, not over-oaked, and certainly not trying to imitate Bordeaux. Instead, it is all about the combination of fruit, freshness, earth, and the unmistakable mineral character of the Loire.
The 2020 vintage is particularly exciting. I’ve been working with distributor partners to find hidden gems that are still pre-tariff in their cellars, and this is one of them. A warm growing season produced Cabernet Franc with plenty of concentration and ripe fruit, while the Loire's natural acidity keeps everything fresh and energetic.
In the glass, look for black cherry, raspberry, plum, graphite, crushed stone, violet, and a little savory herb. The palate has that wonderful Saumur-Champigny combination of juicy Cabernet Franc fruit and limestone-driven structure. The tannins are present but polished and maturing, the acidity keeps the wine lively, and there is enough development now to make this a terrific dinner-table bottle. All of the green bell pepper has fallen off, replaced with layers of coffee grounds, tabasco leaf, and fresh dug porcinis. Delicious stuff. This is exactly the kind of wine that rewards drinking rather than collecting.
Grab a few bottles while we have it.