Chai de la Dive 'Les Moulins' Saumur Rouge 2025

In Short

A medium-bodied Loire Valley Cabernet Franc with bright red cherry, subtle herb, and mineral spine that opens with air.

Quick Facts

• Region: Saumur, Loire Valley, France
• Variety: Cabernet Franc
• Style: Medium-bodied red
• Best For: Weeknight dinner, casual entertaining

Why We Stock It

We stock this wine because it shows what Cabernet Franc does best in the Loire Valley: delivers red fruit and freshness at a price that doesn't ask you to think twice. It has the mineral clarity and acidity to pair with food, and enough structure to drink well now or cellar a few years without fuss.

Tasting Profile

This is a wine built on red fruit and mineral tension rather than weight.

• Aroma: Red cherry, plum, subtle green pepper and herbaceous notes
• Palate: Bright acidity, mineral-driven, red cherry and plum with herb undertone
• Structure & Finish: Fine tannins, clean and persistent finish

Winemaking

Cabernet Franc from Saumur is typically fermented in temperature-controlled vats and aged briefly in stainless steel or neutral oak to preserve its aromatic character and acidity. The exact regime for this wine is not specified, but the regional approach favors freshness over extraction.

Serving & Pairing

Serve at 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and open it 15 minutes before pouring. Pair it with a simple roasted chicken or grilled vegetables for an uncomplicated weeknight match, or with duck confit where its acidity cuts the richness. The brightness makes it equally happy with charcuterie and cheese.

The Estate

Chai de la Dive is a small producer in Saumur focused on Cabernet Franc and the regional whites. They work from an established cellar and prioritize clean winemaking that lets the variety and place show through.

Terroir

Saumur sits on the middle Loire, where Cabernet Franc thrives in a cool maritime climate moderated by Atlantic air. The local soils are a mix of chalk, clay, and tuffa that give the wines their characteristic mineral edge. This combination produces wines with ripe red fruit and the green-pepper herbaceousness that defines the terroir.