Château de Targé: Wines
Today, in contrast to the situation when Édouard assumed control during the 1970s, the vast majority of the fruit they harvest is vinified in-house. There is still some trade with the négociants, however, who take 20-25% of the fruit. In large-volume vintages, such as 2014, this figure may creep a little higher, as much as 30%.
All the red wines are made under the Saumur-Champigny appellation, and all are 100% Cabernet Franc. All wines are made with the addition of cultured yeast, and stainless steel dominates, a 150-hectolitre tank for the domaine cuvée, 100-hectolitre for Cuvée Ferry and two 50-hectolitre tanks for Quintessence. In the future a renovation of the chai is planned, with a move to smaller tanks.
The entry-level domaine Saumur-Champigny sees a fermentation and maceration in stainless steel tanks with no contact with wood at any time. It is usually bottled after April, i.e. during the spring following the harvest. The Cuvée Ferry is an old vines cuvée, from select parcels, introduced in the early 1990s, and for about twelve years it was the only special cuvée, until 2004 when Quintessence was introduced. Initially it was tank-fermented, followed by élevage in older barrels. It was, says Paul Pisani-Ferry, a very structured style. In 2004 they changed the élevage, shifting from barrels to stainless steel (a small portion of wood-aged wine may still be included in the blend), to make a more approachable wine.
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