Despite the fact that it makes some of the greatest wines in all of the Loire, Château Yvonne remains a cult name.

That would probably change if winemaker Matthieu Vallée produced more than 2 or 3 barrels of ‘Le Gory’, his chiseled, aristocratic Chenin-de-Garde that might be the Loire’s answer to Meursault Perrieres.

Or maybe if Vallée made more of his straight Saumur-Champigny rouge, a Cabernet Franc with a succulent core of red fruit so pure and vital it makes you want to spread it out on toast.

In any case, Yvonne deserves wider recognition as not only an elite name in the Loire, but in all of French wine. Saumur die-hards have been clued in for years, but if you’ve never had the wines, this is probably the best possible chance to get your feet wet.

Why? Largely because the vintages, 2018 and 2019. ‘18 is a virtually perfect vintage for Cabernet Franc; there’s so much breadth and concentration to the fruit, but never at the expense of freshness or elegance. The same could be said for both ‘18 and ‘19 Chenin Blanc, two excellent vintages with subtle differences: the 18’s show a bit more power and grip, while ‘19s are slightly more aromatic and relaxed.

Outside of favorable vintages, there’s another reason to dive in: we were able to get a little more stock than in years past, so these are available on our website, with best-in-nation pricing.

Shop our full Château Yvonne collection.

Château Yvonne, Saumur-Champigny, 2018
>From a few plots in the village of Parnay on clay and limestone soils, vines up to 80 years in age. Concentrated red strawberry and raspberry fruit, slightly confit, with savory notes of brie rind and cigar box. Generous now, but clearly built to age.

Château Yvonne, Saumur Blanc Le Gory, 2018
Culled from a tiny parcel in Parnay, not far from the Loire River, this is a structured, intensely mineral dry Chenin that requires time in the glass ( and/or years in the cellar ) to unwind. Though ‘18 was a warm vintage, this is surprisingly acid-driven (lemon pith) and mineral-expressive, with brooding notes of crushed rocks on the nose and palate. Serious stuff.

Château Yvonne, Saumur Blanc, 2019
Less structured than the Gory, but makes for some wonderfully relaxed and refined drinking – and yes, it can age. There’s no shortage of acid verve, and lots of minerality, too. Lemon gelato, honey, smoke, rocks, and pineapple.