Domaine du Collier Saumur La Charpentrie Rouge 2021

Domaine du Collier was founded in 1999 by Antoine Foucault — son of the legendary Charly Foucault of Clos Rougeard — and represents one of Saumur's most compelling modern estates. From just seven hectares, the domaine produces a mere 1,250 cases annually, yet has rapidly risen to join the ranks of Saumur's most prestigious producers. The vines are organically farmed, with soils carefully worked to drive roots deep into the calcium-rich tuffeau subsoil, and fruit is hand harvested with exacting sorting in the vineyard. Antoine's winemaking philosophy follows his father's example — minimal intervention, gentle handling, and extraordinary patience, with wines fermented with natural yeasts in barrel and aged for 24 to 36 months without racking in a cold underground cellar, using a combination of new and one-year-old barrels. 

La Charpentrie is sourced from ancient vines in the Charpentrie vineyard, where the old vine terroir produces a compelling push and pull of density and lift. The clay topsoil over tuffeau limestone gives the wine its signature tension — generous and textural, yet anchored by vivid minerality. Expect delicate notes of violet, cherries, iris and dark wild berries, with a full-bodied and concentrated palate that is satiny and enveloping, closing with a mineral, smoky, pencil-lead finish.