2018 Domaine du Collier, Saumur Rouge, La Ripaille

Antoine Foucault and Caroline Boireau manage their holdings in Chacé with a commitment to biodynamic viticulture and restricted yields, aiming for optimal physiological maturity in their Cabernet Franc. The *Ripaille* bottling is sourced from vines rooted in Saumur’s characteristic tuffeau limestone, a substrate that provides the essential moisture retention and cooling influence necessary for structural balance. A patient, multi-year elevage in the domaine's deep, cold cellars allows for a slow integration of components, resulting in a wine of notable clarity and technical composure. The 2018 vintage brought significant solar warmth and concentration, which Collier has channeled into a dense mid-palate supported by a firm, limestone-driven acid spine. This interplay produces a broad architectural frame with fine-grained tannins and a savory, persistent finish that reflects the estate’s hallmark precision.