Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves - L'Echelier blanc 2023

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Thierry Germain has made his estate a benchmark and a leading name in biodynamics and fine Loire wines, while successfully passing on his passion to Jeanne and Louis, his children, who now work alongside him. The dense, energetic wines showcase the magnificent limestone terroirs of the Saumur-Champigny appellation, particularly the single-vineyard cuvées Clos Romans and Clos de L'Echelier. Low yields result in beautifully concentrated reds that are silky and long on the palate.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

In 2023, the white wines are a success; few Chenin Blancs from the Loire Valley can match this balance in that vintage. Refined and less full-bodied than in 2022, these wines reveal a more pronounced hint of bitterness.

About the estate:

The charismatic Thierry Germain has developed a distinctive stylistic approach to Saumur-Champigny and Saumur whites. The significant work undertaken in the vineyards (using biodynamic methods, with some plowed by horse) is evident even in the estate’s basic cuvée. The latest vintages of white wine reveal a remarkable saline brightness, capturing the essence of Chenin’s chalky expression on tuffeau soil. They delight both the palate and the body! The quest for crispness and a chiseled edge is undeniable in the reds, which can exhibit a delightful floral character. We are, however, convinced that they could reveal a more velvety, graceful, and ripe balance characteristic of Loire Cabernet Franc, in the style of La Marginale, whose vertical tasting in April 2024 confirmed its aging potential.