WTN: Just when it was all too expensive - 10€ Saumur Champ.

2005 Hospices de Saumur Saumur Champigny "Clos Cristal"
I hadn't heard of this wine until a few weeks ago.

Apparently Antoine Cristal was a businessman in the early 20th century and took his profits to invest in the 10 hectare Clos Cristal in Saumur. Smart man! After he died it was left to the Hospice and they've been making wine there since 1928, but this was the first I've heard of it.

Still, better late than never.

Because it was juicy deep mineral tannic fun. Sturdy SC with good composure and potential for evolution, but also juicy succulent fruit for now, fine minerality to catch my attention and a refreshing finish to make it all go down well. Not grand wine, but for 10euros a bottle, pretty darn worthwhile.

Makes one happy to know that there are always "new" producers out there. Even if I can't exactly buy more of this at my local East London off-license..

[David M. Bueker]

Your note is the first I have heard of it. I wonder if Dressner has heard of it.

Your note is the first I have heard of it. I wonder if Dressner has heard of it.

Yes, I don't know what their track record is like, but they do have a pretty good website and a great story (http://www.clos-cristal.com/).

Although this bottle didn't necessarily make me believe in any 'magic' of the vineyard, it was nice drinking.

This price is far from unique for Saumur-Champigny. René-Noël Legrand sells some of his for € 6,50 ex cellars.

This price is far from unique for Saumur-Champigny..

Yes. I didn't mean that it was necessarily a crazy pricing structure, but rather that it was a 'new' name (because let's face it, there are only a handful of names in SC that I would be excited about buying) at a very reasonable price.

by the time it gets to ann arbor, it is$24 at a store that prices things pretty reasonably. i opted for a different one at $16 and plan to try it tonight. been enjoying the cave de saumur blanc '06 too for only $11.

by the time it gets to ann arbor, it is$24 at a store that prices things pretty reasonably..

Do you know if they have been importing it for several vintages?

i do not know rahsaan but i can find out.

this is the first vintage of that producer they have carried - i'm thinking it was not available in MI before that. i get around a bit and have never seen it before. the one i did buy was from the domaine de la seigneurie - cost $9 less.