Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves - Franc de Pied 2023
96/100
Bettane & Desseauve
94/100
Vinous
92/100
RVF
"All about sophistication and indulgence"
“In 2023, the Cabernet Franc offers more substance, while expressing a distinctive floral character and a medium-bodied balance—especially here, where one senses the expression of a grape that’s ‘al dente,’ much like Franc de Pied: easy to drink, supple, and lively, with a balance reminiscent of a white wine.” (The RVF Guide 2026).
Buy your Thierry Germain wines at the best prices through private sales!
Starting at €99 on your first order
Eye
Ruby color with violet and cherry highlights
Nose
Notes of flowers and red berries, fresh blueberries, and black pepper
Palate
A clean, straightforward attack; lovely acidity; crisp; full-bodied and deep; superb balance
Serve
At 14-16°C
Open
1/2 hour before
Drink starting at
2026
Drink before
2031
Food and Wine Pairings
It pairs very well with red meat, beef tartare, game, braised pork tenderloin, roasted blood sausage with pistachios, tangy quince purée, and walnut cake...
Bettane & Desseauve
Wine rated (2026 guide) 96/100
Rated estate (2026 guide): 5* Stars (Exceptional producers who represent the absolute pinnacle of quality in France and around the world)
About the estate:
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.
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Wine rated (2026 guide) 92/100
Rated estate (2026 guide): 3*Stars (These represent the pinnacle of French winemaking. The finest terroirs cultivated by the greatest winemakers. Tasting their wine is always a magical experience.)
About the wine:
In 2023, the Cabernet Franc offers more substance, while expressing a distinctive floral character and a medium-bodied balance—especially here, where one senses the expression of a crisp, firm grape, much like Franc de Pied: easy to drink, smooth, and lively, with a balance reminiscent of a white wine.
About the estate:
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 convinced, however, that they could reveal a more velvety, graceful, and ripe balance typical of Loire Cabernet Franc, much like La Marginale, whose vertical tasting in April 2024 confirmed its aging potential.
Vinous
Wine rated (2025 guide) 94/100
About the wine:
The 2023 Franc de Pied comes from ungrafted vines planted in sandy soils. Arguably the boldest of the Roches Neuves, it displays a restrained yet assured structure and presence. It offers impressive body and density. The tannins are present, coating the palate with a fine, grainy texture without being overpowering. Notes of violet, bay leaf, and black olive mingle with aromas of black fruits in a long finish.
Discover more wines from the winery
