2018 Arnaud Lambert Saumur St Cyr en Bourg Montee des Roches

Arnaud Lambert is considered to be one of the most talented winemakers in Loire, regularly producing what are amongst the best wines in and around Saumur. Arnaud studied in Dijon and has bought that Burgundian approach to his winemaking and to expressing each vineyard site. Bio-dynamic viticulture is practiced in the vineyards, and the goal is to highlight each individual terroir and realise each vineyard sites potential.

Montee des Roches is 100% Cabernet Franc from vines averaging 35 years old facing east on sandy-clayey silt over limestone. Grapes are 100% de-stemmed and fermented with indigenous yeast in tank after separating free run and press juices with no SO2 for ageing and just 1 mg SO2 at bottling after 12 months ageing in older barrels before blending in tank and ageing for another 6 months.

Other Reviews....
The 2018 Saumur Champigny Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg Montée des Roches opens with a deep and intense, slightly smoky bouquet of dark ripe fruits, blood and ashes—fascinating, intense yet pure, dramatic and fresh. Silky, refined and fresh on the first attack, this is a medium to full-bodied, intense and sustainable Montée des Roches with lush and elegant fruit, great balance, concentration and length. Absolutely fabulous and a highlight of the vintage in this price class. Tasted in April 2021. Drink 2021 - 2030.
92 points
Stephan Reinhardt - Wine Advocate (Oct 2021)

The 2018 Saumur Champigny Montée des Roches is from a warm year, with ripe raspberry and strawberry fruit abounding but as a result lacking a bit of nuance. This is a light-bodied style with lovely resolved tannin that has a chalky texture. Drink 2021 - 2030.
90 points
Rebecca Gibb MW - Vinous