Domaine du Collier Saumur Blanc 2021
The 2021 vintage has added power and sapid depth to the usual brightness and levity. That it is a wine from grapes grown in stone and then aged in a stone cellar is evident - this is totally crystalline, seemingly hewn purely from the stones that lie in the ground from which it comes - floating on top as usual is the entrancing citrus and floral perfume. In 2021 there is again great freshness and clarity - it has real presence and drive the finish is chiselled in the mouth displaying cut and salinity alongside powerful tension - it finishes with the sort of gravitas to make you ponder. Mouthwatering acidity, a fine substance, a vivacious finish - there is greatness here.
This estate has elaborated in 2021 one of the best white wines in Saumur. Revealing aromas of lemon oil, white flowers, peach, vanilla pod and spices, the 2021 Saumur Blanc is medium to full-bodied, round and enveloping with a pure, precise and crystalline texture that segues into a mineral, lively and slightly phenolic finish. Give it a little time to digest its élevage, and it will offer excellent drinking for gastronomy. 91-93/100 - Johan Castaing - The Wine Advocate June 2024
Antoine Foucault, son of the late Charly Foucault from Clos Rougeard, is heralded as one of the most intuitive winemakers of his era. Since 2000, with his wife Caroline, he has developed a 12-hectare vineyard from the ground up, of which 5.5 hectares are dedicated to white grape varieties. Their daughter Emma also contributes to this family venture. Antoine, a staunch advocate for traditional viticulture, does not pursue organic or biodynamic labels. His winemaking methodology is rooted in tradition, "as I learned from my father," he frequently remarks, emphasizing gentle extraction, destemming, abstaining from racking in barrels and extended aging periods—nearly two years—plus an additional year in the bottle before release. In my view, Antoine crafts outstanding red wines that marry the precision of Cabernet Francs with the richness of clay and the sharpness of limestone and produces white wines with purity, minerality and depth. Without question, this estate ranks as a jewel of Saumur, with Antoine illustriously advancing the Foucault family legacy. - Johan Castaing - The Wine Advocate.
