Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves : Terres Chaudes 2022

A fine and elegant Saumur-Champigny wine

The estate

In 1992, the young Thierry Germain left his native Bordeaux to settle in the Anjou region. He took over the Domaine des Roches Neuves, founded in 1850 and established in Varrains, near Saumur, in the Loire. Considered as one of the greatest winemakers of his generation, Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves produces plot-based wines that reflect with extreme precision the identity of the grape varieties grown on the estate and the terroirs of Anjou - chalky, tufa and sandy-clay.

The vineyard

Producing great Loire wines from the start, the estate now covers 23 hectares of vines under organic and biodynamic cultivation, certified by Ecocert and Biodyvin. The soils are worked using a horse and the vines keep a natural grass cover.

The wine

Terres-Chaudes is a Saumur-Champigny wine that stems from a selection of vines located in the commune of Chacé, in the hamlet of "Les Poyeux." The terroir is made up of a chalky subsoil with clay-sandy terrain, predominantly limestone. The vines are 35 to 45 years old on average.

Winemaking and ageing

After a manual harvest, fermentation takes place in 60 hl truncated cone-shaped vats at a temperature of 15 to 22 degrees. Maceration lasts 2 to 5 days, to give the indigenous yeasts time to start their work. Vinification is carried out with daily infusions and light pumping over. After a vatting period of 15 to 20 days, the wine is aged for 12 months on fine lees in 60 hl and 12 hl oval wooden vats. The Terres Chaudes cuvée is not filtered or fined before bottling.

Blend

Cabernet Franc (100%)

Characteristics and tasting tips for Terres Chaudes 2022 from Domaine des Roches Neuves

Tasting

Colour
The wine is of a shining, intense ruby colour with purple and cherry nuances.

Nose
The nose is subtle, unveiling at aeration fruity scents (blackcurrant, blueberry, cherry, blackberry, raspberry) as well as floral (iris, violet, peony), plant (cedar, mint) and spice (pepper, clove, cinnamon) notes.

Palate
Direct from the attack, the complex palate gives ripeness and density thanks to its fine and elegant tannins. The palate, supple and vibrant, develops a balanced acidity as well as a long, lingering finish.

Food and wine pairing

This Saumur-Champigny wine pairs perfectly with meat or game-based dishes such as a slow-cooked shepherd’s pie or venison in plum sauce.