Antoine Sanzay 2021 Rouge Les Poyeux

2021 Domaine Antoine Sanzay, Saumur-Champigny Rouge, Les Poyeux, Loire, France $54.99 bottle / $299.94($49.99) six-pack

Les Poyeux is no ordinary single vineyard, but rather, as evidenced most famously by Clos Rougeard’s bottling from this site (at around $300), the top red wine vineyard in the Loire Valley. Les Poyeux would certainly classify as Grand Cru if the Loire Valley had such official classifications. Antoine’s small plot of Les Poyeux abuts that of Clos Rougeard.  Sanzay’s version sits as the less oaky equivalent, not to mention still a relative bargain. With aromas and flavors that are all Cabernet Franc, this wine behaves more like Red Burgundy in the way it presents itself on the palate. Sanzay’s 2021 Les Poyeux displays layers of damp earth, brambly blackberry, candied raspberry, tobacco, tea leaf, and green pepper aromatically with most of those themes repeating on the generous but structured palate. As one of the world’s greatest under-the-radar collectibles, Sanzay’s 2021 is poised to deliver thrills for the next 25 years. In today’s market, if this were a Bordeaux, it would fetch $400, and if it were a Burgundy, probably closer to $1,000 (for a small, bluechip producer making wine from the greatest terroir/vineyard of its type.) Savor with prime rib, herb-roasted pork, duck, game, and charcuterie. So, who’s gonna get lucky today and snag some of this rarity? More than likely, this will be the last time we can get enough to feature it.  Limited.