Simply Saumur Selection - Domaine L'Austral Wine Pack

In the heart of Puy-Notre-Dame, Saumur, L’Austral has brought a new perspective with Australian influence to Loire Valley wines. The vines of the Amandiers parcel were planted in 1990. In 2016, the chance to start their own domaine occured through the lovely Françoise & Philippe Gourdon of Château Tour Grise, who allowed them to lease out and take over 4 ha of vines that have been grown biodynamically for 20 years.

SAUMUR BLANC "AMANDIERS" 2021

"We find this brilliance in Les Amandiers, delicate, floral and fine. It seems to be taking a quiet evolution." 92 points, La Revue du Vin de France

Amandiers is a 60 year old parcel on the tuffeau, it always has such a beautiful salinity that's very particular to this parcel. Pretty notes on the nose of white fruits, pear, fresh apple, sweet spices, an evocation of crumble. Energetic and tense on the palate which demonstrates a nice material comfort. Chenin Blanc

SAUMUR BLANC "TREILLAUJEARD" 2021

"In a more solar 2022 vintage, Treillaujeard, a fat Chenin well nourished by its lees, retains a breathless freshness. A delightful white rich in relief and flavours." 94 points, La Revue du Vin de France

The top white parcel from Austral, this single plot cuvee from 40 year old vines is very classy. With a very open nose, it evolves in the glass with notes of white fruit and a fairly chalky sensation. The palate is straight, guided by a beautiful dry acidity. A superb, generous and ripe Chenin with lots of texture and spices: an ample and generous wine, made for gastronomy. It stretches into a crisp finish, lingering on acidity and pear. Chenin Blanc

SAUMUR PUY-NOTRE-DAME "MANTA" ROUGE 2022

This whole-bunch Cabernet Franc is juicy, stemmy, and seriously energetic. Notes of red fruits, currants, pepper, and vegetal undertones dominate the wine’s crunchy palate. Cabernet Franc

SAUMUR PUY-NOTRE-DAME "V." ROUGE 2019

Their final year working with the 'Vigneaux' parcel, hence the full-stop, it's the final point of their journey with these vines. 2019 is incredibly pure, a really beautiful balance between complexity and lightness. Half whole-bunch and half de-stemmed. If you were going to tuck away a vintage of Cab Franc from Saumur, 2019 would be the one! Cabernet Franc

SAUMUR PUY-NOTRE-DAME "VIGNEAUX" ROUGE 2018

"Let's finish in a more classic register, evolving on beautiful notes of crushed strawberries, with Vigneaux 2018, a very ripe Cabernet Franc established with a lot of tenderness, with a very graceful length." 92 points, La Revue du Vin de France

2018 is the last named cuvee Vigneaux, with a nice warm vintage to suit this terroir perfectly. Very pure nose on red fruits, spices and beautiful and subtle vegetal notes. In the mouth, you will have a wine with a beautiful structure built on ultra fine tannins. Harmony in expression for this full and vibrant wine! Cabernet Franc.

VDF "OCTOPUS" ROUGE 2022

"A very supple red, delicious for the next two years." La Revue du Vin de France

A very nice Grolleau cuvee with no Cabernet Franc unlike the previous vintage. This vintage has density and maturity unlike the 2021, with the red fruits marking the aroma, very ripe offering enormous deliciousness. The mouthfeel is smooth and supple, a wine with great drinkability but far from being devoid of substance! Grolleau