Domaine des Roches Neuves Terres Chaudes Saumur Champigny 2021

Domaine des Roches Neuves Terres Chaudes Saumur Champigny 2021

Thierry Germain
$36.00

Grape: Cabernet Franc
Vintage: 2021
Type: Red

Produced by Thierry Germain at Domaine des Roches Neuves, this red wine showcases a pure expression of cabernet franc in Saumur-Champigny. Hand-harvested from rows rooted in thin topsoils over porous tuffeau limestone, the site is managed under certified biodynamic viticulture. Winemaking involves a spontaneous native fermentation using wild yeasts in neutral vessels, avoiding modern extraction adjustments. Aged in seasoned French oak barrels, it integrates its structural components without wood flavor dominance.

It pours a clear ruby color, releasing aromas of fresh raspberry, redcurrant, and delicate violet notes. On the palate, a light-to-medium-bodied frame balances crunchy red fruit flavors with a savory, herbal quality typical of the variety. Fine-grained tannins provide a smooth structural grip across the mid-palate without feeling heavy. A clean thread of limestone acidity runs through the center, keeping the fluid mouthfeel refreshed. It finishes completely dry, leaving a persistent saline impression.

Winery

Thierry and Marie Germain took over Domaine des Roches Neuves in Varrains in 1991, continuing a property founded by the Duveau family in 1850. Close to Saumur, the estate is divided among numerous small parcels that allow the growers to work with different soils and exposures. Cabernet Franc supplies the Saumur-Champigny reds, while Chenin Blanc is used for the Saumur whites. Tuffeau limestone is central to the landscape, storing moisture that helps sustain the vines during dry periods, alongside areas of sand and clay.

The domaine converted to organic farming in the late 1990s and adopted biodynamic practices in the early 2000s. Its work emphasizes observation of the plant and adaptation to the conditions of each parcel, with the Loire, its tributary and the nearby forest all contributing to the local climate. Wines such as Terres Chaudes sit within a range that examines these different vineyard settings. Harvest timing is determined by tasting the fruit, and minimal handling with different aging vessels is intended to preserve the identity of each variety, site and vintage.