92pts Wine Advocate
Crafted from vines planted on sandy, gravelly soils with chalky subsoil, the 2022 Les Quatres Sous, matured only in concrete tanks, reveals aromas of cherries, violet and flowers. Medium to full-bodied, juicy and layered, its seamless and structured with a delicate core of fruit that segues into an ethereal finish. A great effort. Drink Date: 2024 – 2034

Situated in the commune of Parnay, renowned for its cold terroirs, which were once viewed as a disadvantage but have now turned into an advantage, Mathieu Valle and his wife, Stphanie, acquired this estate in 2007. Benefitting from vineyards that have been organically cultivated since 1997, Mathieu implements green cover crops among his vines, which primarily thrive on aeolian sands and clay-limestone soils. The aging process for the red wines involves a combination of tanks and wooden vats, tailored to each specific cuve. In contrast, the white wines undergo partial aging in sandstone amphorae (constituting a quarter of the volume), with the remainder aged in foudres. These wines are distinguished by their purity and drinkability, characterized by the unique limestone tension that defines Parnay. Published:Jun 13, 2024

– Sandy-clay over Turonian-era limestone.
– Vines planted 1950s to 2000s
– Native yeast fermentation in concrete vats for 3 weeks without pumpovers to limit extraction.
– No wood, aged for 8 months in concrete vats.

Located in Parnay, Chteau Yvonne has been surrounded by vineyards since the Middle Ages, when the monks at the Abbaye de Fontevraud brought their influence to the region. The chteau dates to the 16th century. In 1997, Yvonne and Jean-Franois Lamunire decided to recreate the abandoned vineyard with the help of Franoise Foucault. In 2007, Mathieu Valle took over and decided to keep the name Chteau Yvonne, in homage of the incredible work done by the previous owners. Today, the domaine is one of the best producers in Saumur. The estate is composed of 3 hectares of Chenin Blanc and 8 hectares of Cabernet Franc, all of which have been farmed organically since 1997.

Today, Matthieu Valle has taken his place as one of the leading producers in Saumur. The vineyards are spread out amongst over 30 different small parcels, with many of the best vineyards located in “La Cte”, or the plateau next to the church of Parnay overlooking the Loire River. While much attention has been given to the limestone outcrop of Brz further south, historically the vineyards of La Cte have been just as highly regarded. In addition to the two cuves Yvonne Blanc and Yvonne Rouge that were historically produced at the property, Matthieu has added several other wines. Ile Quatre Sous comes from sandy soils and produces a soft red that’s easy to drink right away.