Domaine du Collier 'La Charpentrie' Saumur Blanc, Loire Valley, France 2021
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Domaine du Collier 'La Charpentrie' Saumur Blanc, Loire Valley, France 2021
Domaine du Collier was founded in 1999 by Antoine Foucault and his partner Caroline Boireau in the historic village of Brézé, taking its name from Place du Collier where the family home is located. Antoine is the son of the legendary Charly Foucault of Clos Rougeard, where he trained for four years alongside his father and uncle Nady before establishing his own estate at age 26. From just 7 hectares, the domaine produces a mere 1,250 cases annually, yet has rapidly risen from newcomer to join the ranks of Saumur's most prestigious producers. The estate's identity is rooted in the grand whites of Chenin Blanc from the limestone-rich hillsides of Brézé, a terroir historically exchanged barrel-for-barrel with Château d'Yquem and considered one of the Loire Valley's finest sites. These are wines of power, mineral character, and ethereal lift that often transcend varietal expression in their deep articulation of Brézé's limestone.
- WINEMAKER: Antoine Foucault
- FARMING: Organic. Biodynamic principles employed without chemical fertilizers. Vineyards meticulously farmed with soils worked to encourage deep root penetration into the calcium-rich tuffeau subsoil.
- VARIETY: 100% Chenin Blanc
- TERROIR: La Charpentrie single-vineyard site on the hillsides of Brézé commune in Saumur. 100+ year old vines planted on clay-silica-limestone soils over tuffeau bedrock. Brézé is a unique elevated site with porous, chalky tuffeau limestone that imparts extraordinary minerality. The cold temperatures and highly active calcium content create wines with unusually low finishing pH (2.85-3.05) and powerful acidic structures. Shallow topsoil forces roots deep into the limestone, expressing the site's singular character.
- VINIFICATION: Manual harvest with severe sorting in the vineyard. Grapes transported in small crates to preserve integrity. Indigenous yeast fermentation in barrel. No commercial yeasts used.
- AGING: Extended aging of 24-36 months without racking in a cold underground cellar 40 meters below ground in a combination of 50% new and 50% one-year-old barrels. No sulfur until bottling. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
- TASTING NOTES: Medium to dark yellow color. The nose reveals concentrated aromas of lemon oil, white flowers, peach, citrus pith, unripe pear, with herbal overtones and hints of vanilla pod and spices. Complex layers of chamomile, ginger, and preserved lemon emerge with air. The palate is medium to full-bodied, round yet tightly wound with remarkable concentration and intensity. Wet chalkboard minerality dominates with citrus oil, quince, savoury herbs, and a sappy membrillo note. Racy acidity provides electric tension while silky texture adds depth. Mineral-driven core with a long, chalky finish showing great purity and precision. The combination of old vines and extended élevage creates a wine of compelling power without losing delicacy.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Seared scallops with brown butter, roasted turbot or halibut, lobster with drawn butter, grilled Dover sole, poached chicken with cream sauce, rich fish terrines, aged Comté or Gruyère, oysters, goat cheese, seafood risotto.
Domaine du Collier 'La Charpentrie' Saumur Blanc, Loire Valley, France 2021
Domaine du Collier was founded in 1999 by Antoine Foucault and his partner Caroline Boireau in the historic village of Brézé, taking its name from Place du Collier where the family home is located. Antoine is the son of the legendary Charly Foucault of Clos Rougeard, where he trained for four years alongside his father and uncle Nady before establishing his own estate at age 26. From just 7 hectares, the domaine produces a mere 1,250 cases annually, yet has rapidly risen from newcomer to join the ranks of Saumur's most prestigious producers. The estate's identity is rooted in the grand whites of Chenin Blanc from the limestone-rich hillsides of Brézé, a terroir historically exchanged barrel-for-barrel with Château d'Yquem and considered one of the Loire Valley's finest sites. These are wines of power, mineral character, and ethereal lift that often transcend varietal expression in their deep articulation of Brézé's limestone.
- WINEMAKER: Antoine Foucault
- FARMING: Organic. Biodynamic principles employed without chemical fertilizers. Vineyards meticulously farmed with soils worked to encourage deep root penetration into the calcium-rich tuffeau subsoil.
- VARIETY: 100% Chenin Blanc
- TERROIR: La Charpentrie single-vineyard site on the hillsides of Brézé commune in Saumur. 100+ year old vines planted on clay-silica-limestone soils over tuffeau bedrock. Brézé is a unique elevated site with porous, chalky tuffeau limestone that imparts extraordinary minerality. The cold temperatures and highly active calcium content create wines with unusually low finishing pH (2.85-3.05) and powerful acidic structures. Shallow topsoil forces roots deep into the limestone, expressing the site's singular character.
- VINIFICATION: Manual harvest with severe sorting in the vineyard. Grapes transported in small crates to preserve integrity. Indigenous yeast fermentation in barrel. No commercial yeasts used.
- AGING: Extended aging of 24-36 months without racking in a cold underground cellar 40 meters below ground in a combination of 50% new and 50% one-year-old barrels. No sulfur until bottling. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
- TASTING NOTES: Medium to dark yellow color. The nose reveals concentrated aromas of lemon oil, white flowers, peach, citrus pith, unripe pear, with herbal overtones and hints of vanilla pod and spices. Complex layers of chamomile, ginger, and preserved lemon emerge with air. The palate is medium to full-bodied, round yet tightly wound with remarkable concentration and intensity. Wet chalkboard minerality dominates with citrus oil, quince, savoury herbs, and a sappy membrillo note. Racy acidity provides electric tension while silky texture adds depth. Mineral-driven core with a long, chalky finish showing great purity and precision. The combination of old vines and extended élevage creates a wine of compelling power without losing delicacy.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Seared scallops with brown butter, roasted turbot or halibut, lobster with drawn butter, grilled Dover sole, poached chicken with cream sauce, rich fish terrines, aged Comté or Gruyère, oysters, goat cheese, seafood risotto.