Domaine des Sables Verts - Saumur Rouge 2024
Domaine des Sables Verts, located in Varrains in the heart of the Saumurois, is one of the most closely followed young estates in the appellation. Since their takeover in 2019, Caroline Meurée and Hervé Malinge have been working a fragmented vineyard across several communes, with a precise and attentive approach to the diversity of terroirs. The Saumur Rouge 2024 is made from Cabernet Franc, the emblematic grape variety of Saumur-Champigny, grown on soils mixing green sands, clay-limestone, limestone, and tuffeau. These glauconitic sands, characteristic of the area, bring freshness, finesse, and aromatic brightness to the estate's reds. This entry-level red cuvée comes from several plots and aims for an immediate, digestible, and fruity expression of Cabernet Franc. It perfectly embodies the contemporary style of Sables Verts: precise, accessible wines with great drinkability.
In the cellar, the work favors the purity of the fruit and freshness, with manual harvesting, gravity filling into vats, and spontaneous fermentations with indigenous yeasts. For the estate's Saumur-Champigny red, technical sources mention vinification in stainless steel tanks, a short aging of a few months, and bottling with limited intervention to preserve the grape's crispness. The nose opens on raspberry, redcurrant, fresh cherry, and small red fruits, with a floral touch and a slightly peppery note typical of Loire Cabernet Franc. On the palate, the wine is supple, juicy, and slender, supported by fresh acidity and fine tannins. The body remains light but expressive, without excessive extraction, with a clean, crunchy, and thirst-quenching finish. It is a frank, gourmand, and precise Loire red, designed for immediate pleasure.
Served slightly chilled, around 14 to 16°C, this Saumur Rouge 2024 will perfectly accompany roasted poultry, grilled white meat, terrine, a plate of fine charcuterie, or roasted vegetables. Its natural freshness also allows it to pair well with convivial dishes, light grills, or simple and refined bistro cuisine. It can be enjoyed young to fully appreciate its bright fruit and supple texture. With one or two years in the bottle, it will gain smoothness while retaining its Loire energy. The Domaine des Sables Verts Saumur Rouge 2024 illustrates a modern vision of Cabernet Franc: pure, digestible, fresh, and unpretentious. It is an ideal cuvée to discover the estate in an accessible, sincere, and very pleasant red style.
Grape variety: 100% Cabernet Franc
