2020 Chateau de Fosse-Seche Eolithe Saumur Rouge

Éolithe is not a fancy name. It is the local word for the soil this wine grows in, flint and gravel bound with iron oxide, and the Pire brothers put it on the label because it is the whole point. The Plateau de Brossay is a Jurassic outcrop with no limestone in it at all, which is bizarre in Saumur and means the roots go deep instead of spreading.

This rare soil composition also imparts a vibrant, mineral-driven tension and pure fruit-focus to the grapes. The Pire brothers ferment with native yeasts and age the wine for nearly two years on fine lees in egg-shaped concrete vats. By avoiding wood entirely, they preserve the raw, unadulterated intensity and aromatic freshness of the ancient soil.

In the glass, the 2020 Éolithe opens with expressive aromas of wild red cherry, black olive tapenade, crushed flint, and a hint of fresh mint. On the palate, a crunchy, vibrant entry delivers concentrated red raspberry and dark plum flavors, balanced by fine, dusty tannins and a bone-dry, savory finish.

This is world-class, low-intervention Loire Cabernet Franc at its most elegant and authentic. Pair it alongside roast duck, herb-crusted pork loin, or aged goat cheese. Given the boutique production of this biodynamic estate, our allocation is extremely limited. Secure your bottles today.