Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves - Outre Terre 2023

Bettane & Desseauve

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.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

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

About the wine:

Macerated for four months on its skins in amphorae and then aged for twelve months in large oak barrels, Outre Terre stands apart in the lineup: both earthy and floral (peony and faded rose), with an extremely rich, flavorful body and great depth.

About the estate:

The charismatic Thierry Germain has defined a unique stylistic approach to Saumur-Champigny and the white wines of Saumur. 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 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, in the style of La Marginale, whose vertical tasting held in April 2024 confirmed its aging potential.