Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves : L'Echelier 2024

Characteristics and tasting notes of the "L'Echelier" 2024 cuvée from Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves

Tasting

Colour
Brilliant and luminous, the colour reveals a beautiful clarity, testifying to a gentle and perfectly controlled extraction.

Nose
The bouquet opens with a remarkable alliance of concentration and freshness. It exudes intense aromas of red and black fruits, subtly enhanced by a deep mineral thread evoking chalk and limestone.

Palate
The attack is direct, powerful and intensely fruity. The mid-palate reveals a dense and elegant substance, carried by a beautiful natural tension. The pure and clean finish stretches out at length on noble mineral notes.

Food and wine pairing

This wine will pair harmoniously with grilled red meats, roasted poultry or delicate mushroom-based dishes. It will also wonderfully accompany aged cheeses.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate this Saumur-Champigny "L'Echelier" 2024, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 14 and 16°C, after aerating it for about an hour. This wine offers excellent aging potential, allowing for tasting until approximately 2034.

The mineral and authentic expression of a great Loire terroir

The estate

Founded in 1850 by the Duveau family, Domaine des Roches Neuves today spans 28 hectares in the heart of the Loire Valley. Taken over in 1991 by Thierry and Marie Germain, the estate has established itself as an essential reference thanks to a demanding, life-respecting viticultural approach, certified organic and biodynamic. Today, Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves is led by Thierry and Marie, progressively supported by the new generation, Louis and Jeanne, who carry on this quest for excellence and authenticity.

The vineyard

Located in the commune of Varrains, within the Saumur-Champigny appellation, the vineyard benefits from a unique microclimate influenced by the Loire River and the Fontevraud forest. The vines, planted at a density of 6,500 vines per hectare and grown from massale selection, thrive on soils dominated by chalky tuffeau, clay and sand. Soil management is fully maintained, with natural cover cropping and the use of animal traction to preserve soil structure and promote biodiversity.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the "L'Echelier" 2024 cuvée are harvested by hand in crates to preserve the integrity of the berries picked at full maturity. After careful destemming, fermentation takes place without oenological additives in conical wooden vats. The wine is then aged on fine lees for several months. All these stages take place in underground cellars to preserve the full liveliness and aromatic purity of the fruit.

Grape variety

Cabernet Franc (100%)