Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves - La Marginale 2022

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Thierry Germain has made his estate a benchmark for biodynamic viticulture and great Loire wines, while successfully passing on his passion to his children Jeanne and Louis, who now work with him. The wines are dense and full of energy, showcasing the magnificent limestone terroirs of the saumur-champigny appellation, particularly the Clos Romans and Clos de L'Echelier parcel cuvées. Low yields give good concentration to the long, silky reds.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

From vines planted on clay-limestone soils, Saumur Champigny La Marginale 2022, aged for a year in 25 hectoliter foudres, reveals a deep, delicate bouquet of menthol, rose, peony and leaves. Medium-bodied, layered and textured, it offers a vertical feel with good depth and powdery tannins, finishing with a long, ethereal finish. More austere than the 2021, it needs time to digest its ageing.

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

About the wine:

As usual, La Marginale reveals itself with a sunnier feel. Ample and enveloping, it retains its invigorating energy. It will evolve with panache into its thirties.

About the domain :

The charismatic Thierry Germain has defined a singular stylistic approach to Saumur-Champigny and Saumur whites. The extensive work undertaken in the vines (biodynamic, some ploughed with a horse) is evident right from the estate's first cuvée. The latest white vintages reveal a remarkable saline brilliance, getting to the heart of the chalky expression of chenin on tuffeau. They thrill the taste buds and the body! The quest for a crisp, chiselled edge is undeniable in the reds, which can have a ravishing florality. However, we are convinced that they could reveal a more velvety, graceful and ripe balance of Loire Cabernet Franc, in the manner of La Marginale, whose vertical test in April 2024 confirmed its ageing potential.

Vinous

About the wine:

Marginale 2022 is a round, full-bodied, welcoming wine. The clay soils give it coating tannins, like melted chocolate, reminiscent of a good Pomerol. Of course, this is a Cabernet Franc from the Loire, with floral, blackberry and raspberry aromas. It's pure, elegant and finely textured, with a powdery texture and a long, fragrant finish reminiscent of black tea, iron (blood) and blackberry.