Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves - Terres Chaudes 2022

Thierry Germain has made his estate a benchmark and a leading name in biodynamic winemaking and the great wines of the Loire Valley, 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.

The 2022 reds naturally exhibit greater maturity, as exemplified by Terres Chaudes, with its enveloping texture structured by mouth-watering tannins. An additional year in the bottle will do it a world of good.

The charismatic Thierry Germain has defined a unique stylistic approach to Saumur-Champigny and Saumur whites. The extensive work undertaken in the vineyards (using biodynamic methods, with some plots plowed by horse) is evident even in the estate’s most basic cuvée. The latest vintages of white wine reveal a remarkable briny brightness, capturing the essence of Chenin’s chalky expression on tuffeau soil. They set the taste buds and the whole body alight! 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, much like La Marginale, whose vertical tasting held in April 2024 confirmed its aging potential.

The 2022 Terres Chaudes offers a silky texture and a lovely mouthfeel despite its elegance and finesse. As always, it features pure fruit aromas, beautiful harmony, and a lively edge. A certain firmness in the tannins emerges on the finish, providing structure that gives the wine body.