We’re Not in Kansas Anymore, 2026: Anjou Reds
This is the second of five sets of tasting notes to be published in this extensive review on all things vinous in Anjou in 2026. To read my introduction to these reports, with detail on how Anjou got where it is today, see my introductory essay We’re Not in Kansas Anymore.
In this instalment I include 70 notes on mostly red wines (with the occasional rosé, orange wine or blanc de noir sneaking in almost unnoticed) from the Anjou region, either in the Anjou appellation, IGP Val de Loire or Vin de France.
The other principal instalments cover Chenin Blanc, including Anjou Chenin and Savennières (including Coulée de Serrant and Savennières Roche-aux-Moines), the latter yet to be published.
The series of reports will conclude with two smaller reports on the region’s good-value sparkling wines, mostly Crémant de Loire, and of course the frequently superb sweet wines, with examples from the Coteaux de l’Aubance, Coteaux du Layon, Quarts de Chaume and Bonnezeaux appellations.
I have already given a brief account of the most recent vintages in my introduction to those series of reports, so I will keep this preamble brief. As with my report on Anjou Chenin, I will pick out three favourites from the 70 wines tasted, as well as one wine of intrigue, and one to watch.
A Handful of Favourites
Picking three favourites from among these reds led me to Domaine de Bablut. If I was handing out awards, father-and-son team Christophe and Antoine Daviau would be travelling home with their arms full. This only makes sense to me; I don’t add many Anjou reds to my own cellar, but I have certainly bought and enjoyed the top cuvées from this domaine before now.
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