Domaine des Roches Neuves > Loire

Domaine des Roches Neuves > Loire > France

SAUMUR CHAMPIGNY

No one is producing Cabernet Franc like Thierry Germain. His approach is closer to a Burgundy wine-maker than a typical Loire producer. This 50 acre Domaine, situated in a superb viticultural location in the appellation of Saumur Champigny, has been a winery since 1850. Germain, from a long line of Bordeaux winemakers, arrived here in 1991, attracted by the regions’ perfect balance of grape varietal, climate and terroir, which he considers one of the finest in France. The vineyard is worked in a natural way with the goal of keeping the vine and the soil at its healthiest. With the 2005 vintage Germain is working Biodynamically. The harvest is manual, selecting grapes at their very ripest level. Vinification is handled in small batches then bottling unfined and unfiltered. Germain has garnered praise in the European press for his exciting wines, which are always filled with ripe, generous fruit and supple textures.

Revue du Vin de France - Michel Bettane

“One of the elite wine-growers, (Germain) gathers exceptionally ripe grapes which give a unique smoothness and velvety texture to his wines....One might think that Thierry Germain was going to take a break. Indefatigable, he continues to progress in refining each of his cuvées. All of his wines are superb, but not easy to obtain because the demand for them is so great.”

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Saumur Blanc - Insolite

Inspired by the Rieslings of Mosel and Austria, the Insolite (which means "out of the ordinary") was created in 1996. The yield for this dry Chenin Blanc is a mere 18HL/HA. The wine is raised one third in 400 liters new oak barrels, one third 1 year old barrels and one third foudre.

Saumur Champigny Rouge

Revue du Vin de France: “This is the most accessible cuvée for its suppleness and its silkiness.” Tufa soils give this wine its typicity. Half the wine goes through a pre-fermentation maceration (cold soak) for 5 days to refine the tannins and extract superior fruit characteristics. Look for dark, garnet color with an intense nose of red-berry fruits and a whiff of cocoa. Gorgeous! The palate is mouthfilling and deliciously accessible, packed with raspberries and chocolate notes.

Saumur Champigny Rouge - Terres Chaudes

Revue du Vin de France: “More powerful than the Cuvée Domaine, this wine could easily age several years. The color is dark-ruby, with purple highlights. The bouquet is marked by cassis and blackberries. The palate is dense, with fat fruit, a beautiful structure and fine, ripe tannins. A happy future for this wine which is beautifully balanced in nose and palate.”

This is Germain’s old-vines cuvée aged 1/3 in casks, 1/3 in 1 year old oak barrels from the Marginale and 1/3 in two years old barrels.

It has a great minerality and pairs very well with game and spicy dishes.

Saumur Champigny Rouge - Marginale

Revue du Vin de France: “This wine is always held back for a year and only made in exceptional vintages ... Very concentrated, it merits an aging of 5 years."

It is produced from the ripest grapes at harvest and aged for 24 months in 400 liters oak barrels(1/3 new, one third 1 y old, one third 2 y old).

The yield for this intense wine is only 25 hectolitres/hectare coming from southern-exposed hillside vineyards. This grand wine is powerful yet elegant, structured like a top Bordeaux.