Domaine des Closiers 'Les Closiers' Saumur-Champigny 2023

Winemaking

Domaine des Closiers is a small family estate in Saumur-Champigny devoted to expressing the character of Cabernet Franc through thoughtful viticulture and minimal intervention winemaking. The domaine favors a restrained hand in the cellar, allowing the vineyard and vintage to speak directly—a philosophy that results in wines of clarity and freshness rather than extraction.

Tasting Notes

This elegant Cabernet Franc opens with bright red fruit aromatics—cherry and red plum—layered with subtle herbaceous notes and a whisper of graphite minerality that signals the slate-rich terroir. On the palate, the wine reveals itself as refined and graceful, with silky tannins that never overwhelm; flavors of ripe cherry and dark plum glide across the mouth, supported by the varietal's characteristic fresh acidity. The finish is clean and mineral-driven, leaving a lingering impression of chalk and stone that speaks to the Loire's classical Cabernet Franc character.

Producer

Domaine des Closiers operates as a traditional family vineyard within the Saumur-Champigny appellation, maintaining modest production focused on quality over volume. The estate works its vineyards with respect for the land and a commitment to sustainable practices, allowing the distinctive terroir of the region to define each vintage.

Terroir

Saumur-Champigny, located in the heart of the Loire Valley south of the town of Saumur, is renowned for its pale, chalky soils derived from tuffeau limestone—a soft, porous stone that imparts characteristic minerality to the region's Cabernet Francs. The continental-influenced climate, moderated by the proximity to the Loire River, produces grapes with bright acidity and elegant structure, making it one of France's finest expressions of this varietal.

Food Pairings

The wine's silky tannins and fresh acidity make it an excellent match for pan-seared duck breast with a light cherry gastrique, where the wine's own red fruit notes echo the sauce. Try it also with a classic charcuterie board featuring aged Gruyère and cured ham, or with herb-roasted chicken thighs—dishes that benefit from its refined structure without demanding heavy richness.