VERY LIMITED — RARE ALLOCATION

Domaine du Collier is one of the great names of Saumur, founded by Antoine Foucault, son of the late Charly Foucault of Clos Rougeard. Working alongside his wife Caroline, Antoine has quietly built an intensely sought-after domaine whose wines have become cult favourites among collectors and sommeliers.

While Clos Rougeard is legendary for Cabernet Franc, Domaine du Collier has established its reputation primarily through exceptional Chenin Blanc from the limestone-rich hillsides of Saumur and Brézé. Production is tiny, the wines are heavily allocated and releases are notoriously difficult to find.

Saumur Blanc 2022 is the domaine's entry into its extraordinary white wine range, but there is nothing ordinary about it. From old-vine Chenin Blanc, the wine combines the power and concentration of the warm, dry 2022 vintage with the crystalline precision and mineral character that define Collier.

The nose is intensely pure and lifted, with citrus, white flowers and stone-driven minerality. On the palate it is powerful yet remarkably refined, with sapid depth, mouthwatering acidity and a taut, saline finish. There is impressive substance and tension here, but also remarkable clarity and finesse.

Aged for an extended period in the domaine's deep, ancient cellar, in seasoned barrels and larger wooden vessels, before release. The result is a serious, age-worthy Saumur Blanc with the concentration and structure to develop beautifully over many years.

Grape: 100% Chenin Blanc
Region: Saumur, Loire Valley, France
Vintage: 2022
Style: Dry white
Farming: Low intervention, manual harvesting
Élevage: Extended aging in seasoned barrels and foudre
Production: Extremely limited