La Haye Dampierre is one of Domaine Antoine Sanzay's most distinctive wines — a single-vineyard micro-cuvée from a terroir of tuffeau limestone and silt in the town of Dampierre-sur-Loire, which single-handedly embodies the estate’s philosophy: “respect the raw material, work with time, and let the vintage speak for itself in the bottle, without artifice.”
In 1999, Antoine Sanzay took over the family estate in Varrains, which spans both the Saumur and Saumur-Champigny appellations. He has been cultivating his 28 hectares using AB-certified organic methods since 2014, without ever resorting to herbicides or synthetic inputs. His philosophy bears the influence of his winemaker friends—Nady Foucault of Clos Rougeard, a neighbor and the appellation’s undisputed benchmark—and a deep conviction that Cabernet Franc, a challenging and sometimes rugged grape variety, can achieve a finesse and length worthy of the greatest French wines.
La Haye Dampierre derives its aromas from a plot of tuffeau and silt—this soft limestone and siliceous clay which, when blended, give the Cabernet Franc its natural suppleness and its dark, deep aromas. Long maceration with native yeasts, aged in French oak barrels that have held 3 to 6 vintages—neutral wood that provides structure without ever overpowering the fruit.
The 2023 vintage reveals fresh black fruit, violet, and licorice, with a silky, concentrated palate, lovely freshness, and a lingering finish.
Serve at 15–16 °C; decant. Pairings: red meats, game, aged cheeses. Aging potential: 6–10 years.
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