Les Closiers Domaine Des Closiers Saumur Champigny, 2022

Les Closiers Domaine des Closiers Saumur Champigny 2022 is a pure Cabernet Franc from one of the Loire Valley’s most exciting appellations for elegant, terroir-driven reds. This cuvée captures the hallmark freshness, fine-grained tannins and fragrant red-fruit profile that make Saumur-Champigny such a favorite among sommeliers. Crafted in a modern, precise style, it offers immediate charm in its youth while remaining true to the classic Loire expression of Cabernet Franc.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, this Saumur Champigny shows a bright, medium ruby color with a subtle violet rim, hinting at its youthful energy. The nose is lifted and expressive, revealing redcurrant, raspberry and wild strawberry layered with floral notes of peony and violets, plus a gentle herbal edge of fresh bay leaf and thyme. Underneath, there’s a whisper of graphite and subtle spice, adding complexity without heaviness. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and vibrant, with juicy red fruit at the core supported by crisp, mouthwatering acidity. Silky yet precise tannins frame flavors of crunchy cherry, pomegranate and cranberry, joined by hints of pencil shavings, pepper and a faint earthy mineral note. The finish is clean, linear and refreshing, inviting another sip. Enjoyable now for its purity and brightness, it will evolve gracefully over the next 3–6 years, gaining more savory and tertiary nuances while retaining its finesse.

Production
Domaine des Closiers works in the heart of Saumur-Champigny, where Cabernet Franc thrives on limestone-rich tuffeau soils mixed with clay and sand. This terroir brings both ripeness and tension, giving wines that are aromatic, finely structured and distinctly mineral. Grapes for Les Closiers are typically harvested by hand at optimal ripeness to preserve freshness and avoid over-extraction of green notes. In the cellar, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled vats, allowing a gentle, controlled maceration that emphasizes aromatics and fine tannins rather than power. Aging is carried out in a combination of inert vessels and/or older oak, chosen to respect the fruit and terroir, resulting in a polished, expressive Loire Cabernet Franc without dominant oak influence.

Food & Serving
This Saumur Champigny is a versatile food wine, ideal alongside roasted chicken with herbs, grilled pork tenderloin, charcuterie, or classic French bistro dishes such as steak frites. It also works beautifully with earthy vegetable dishes—think lentil stew, roasted beetroot, or mushroom ragù—and pairs well with soft to semi-hard cheeses like goat cheese, Tomme or mild Comté. Serve at around 14–16°C (57–61°F) to highlight its aromatics and freshness. A brief 20–30 minutes in a carafe can help the wine open up, especially in its youth, but extended decanting is not necessary.

Producer
Domaine des Closiers is an estate rooted in the historic limestone slopes of Saumur-Champigny, an appellation renowned for producing some of the Loire’s most refined Cabernet Franc. Over recent years, the domaine has gained recognition for its attentive work in the vineyards and a philosophy that favors precision, balance and purity of fruit over excessive extraction or oak. By focusing closely on their distinct parcels and the tuffeau-based soils that define the region, Domaine des Closiers has become a respected name among Loire enthusiasts and wine professionals, contributing to Saumur-Champigny’s growing reputation as a source of elegant, ageworthy reds with real character.