Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves : Domaine des Roches Neuves 2024

Characteristics and tasting notes for Domaine des Roches Neuves 2024

Tasting

Colour
The colour reveals a garnet red hue with delicate violet nuances.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with vibrant notes of raspberry and fresh cherry, complemented by floral touches of violet, sweet spices and a minerality reminiscent of asphalt, all underscored by subtle scents of fresh herbs.

Palate
The attack reveals a silky texture carried by tannins of great finesse. The whole is perfectly balanced and harmonious, offering remarkable freshness that extends into a long, elegant finish.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs wonderfully with poultry, grilled or roasted lean meats, as well as feathered game accompanied by a mushroom reduction. It also enhances aged hard cheeses, goat cheese or Époisses. Its freshness makes it an excellent match for charcuterie boards, grilled vegetables, vegetarian dishes with Mediterranean herbs, or umami-rich Asian cuisine.

Service and aging

For optimal enjoyment, this wine is best served slightly chilled, at cellar temperature. Domaine des Roches Neuves 2024 can be enjoyed young, but also has the ageing potential to be cellared until around 2032.

Other characteristics

This wine is neither fined nor filtered, thus preserving its full textural complexity. Its alcohol content is around 12.5%.

The elegance and freshness of a Saumur-Champigny wine by Thierry Germain

The estate

Founded in 1850 by the Duveau family, the estate is located in Varrains, France, in the heart of the Loire Valley. Acquired in 1991 by Marie and Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves now spans twenty-eight hectares. Having become a true benchmark, the vineyard is farmed biodynamically, incorporating horse-drawn ploughing to preserve the soils. Now supported by their children Louis and Jeanne, the current owners craft cuvées that are internationally recognized for their purity, mineral precision and authentic expression of their terroir.

The vineyard

The plots dedicated to this cuvée are spread across the communes of Varrains, Chaintres and Saumur, within the Saumur-Champigny appellation. The vines, averaging 25 years of age, thrive on a mosaic of soils composed of sand, clay and limestone, resting on a bedrock of tuffeau. This porous chalk, typical of the region, plays an essential regulating role by storing water and releasing it during drier periods.

The vintage

2024 proved to be a particularly challenging year in terms of weather. Spring and early summer were marked by high humidity and cool temperatures, leading to significant fungal disease pressure and disrupting flowering. July and August remained cloudy and cool. However, these conditions naturally limited yields, allowing the remaining bunches to benefit from optimal ripening. The harvest, carried out between early and mid-October, produced grapes with excellent phenolic development.

Winemaking and aging

The harvest is entirely done by hand, followed by rigorous double sorting, both in the vineyard and at the winery. For Domaine des Roches Neuves 2024, certain plots undergo cold pre-fermentation maceration. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with skin maceration lasting eight to ten days. Only the free-run juice is kept, with press wine entirely excluded. Aging lasts three to four months in stainless steel tanks and wooden vessels on fine lees, in order to preserve the brightness of the fruit.

Grape variety

100% Cabernet Franc.