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 address for biodynamics and great Loire wines, while successfully passing on his passion to his children, Jeanne and Louis, who now work with him. The dense, energetic wines showcase the magnificent limestone terroirs of the Saumur-Champigny appellation, particularly the Clos Romans and Clos de L'Echelier single vineyard wines. 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 wine:

In 2023, the whites are a success, with few Chenins from the Loire region able to claim such balance that year. More refined and less full-bodied than in 2022, these wines reveal a more pronounced perception of bitterness.

About the estate:

The charismatic Thierry Germain has developed a unique stylistic approach to Saumur-Champigny and Saumur whites. The significant work undertaken in the vineyards (using biodynamic methods, some plowed by horse) is evident even in the estate's simplest cuvée. The latest white vintages reveal a remarkable saline brightness, going to the heart of the chalky expression of Chenin on tuffeau. They thrill the taste buds and the body! The quest for crispness and precision is undeniable in the reds, which can have a delightful floral quality. However, we are convinced that they could reveal a more velvety, graceful and mature balance of Loire Cabernet Franc, in the style of La Marginale, whose vertical tasting in April 2024 confirmed its aging potential.