Saumur-Champigny is one of the Loire Valley’s most exciting appellations for red wine, and Cabernet Franc is its soul. Maison Audebert & Fils have been making wine here for generations, and this 2022 is a beautifully crafted expression of everything the appellation does best. The nose is elegant and precise — ripe red cherry and raspberry, with that characteristic whisper of green bell pepper that is the hallmark of great Cabernet Franc, not a flaw but a signature, a marker of variety and place that sets it apart from every other red grape on earth. On the palate it’s harmonious and refined, with silky tannins, a lovely freshness, and a long, delightful finish that lingers with real class. Yes, Saumur-Champigny has gone up in price in recent years — but wines like this remind you exactly why the world has been paying attention.