Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves - Clos de l'Echelier rouge 2023
97/100
Bettane & Desseauve
93/100
RVF
93/100
Vinous
“One of the estate’s finest single-vineyard wines—absolutely delicious!”
“The limestone, chalky, and floral character of Clos de l'Echelier is impressive: a splendid expression of Saumur Cabernet Franc.” (Le Guide RVF 2026). With incredible vitality, this cuvée will continue to reveal its full potential year after year.
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Eye
A bright red color with beautiful purple highlights
Nose
Fresh and elegant, with fruity notes of cherry and strawberry, licorice, and peppermint
Palate
Full-bodied and rich, with a sleek finish, fine tannins, and a juicy, lingering aftertaste
Serve
Decant at 16°C
Open
1 hour before
Drink from
2026
Drink before
2030
Food and wine pairings
Enjoy it with steak tartare, red meat, game, grilled vegetables, grilled meats, and a charcuterie platter...
Bettane & Desseauve
Wine rated 97/100
Rated estate (2026 guide) 5*Stars (Exceptional producers, those representing 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 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
Wine rated (2026 guide) 93/100
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:
The limestone, chalky, and floral character of Clos de l'Echelier is impressive: a splendid expression of Cabernet Franc from Saumur.
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.
Vinous
Wine rated (2025 guide) 93/100
About the wine:
The Clos de l'Échelier 2023 is precise and elegant. It is very light on the palate, almost like a white wine with its clean, lemony finish. Grown on a 1.5-hectare plot with limestone soil, it is slightly more understated than the winery’s wines from clay soils, but it reveals enticing aromas of blackcurrant and raspberry. The tannins are almost imperceptible. The 2023 will gain body, but its lemony acidity will always give it its lively character.
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