Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves : Clos Romans 2024

Characteristics and tasting notes of the "Clos Romans" 2024 by Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves

Tasting

Colour
Limpid and crystalline, it reveals a beautiful pale straw-yellow hue reminiscent of pale gold.

Nose
Concentrated and dynamic, it offers a generous aromatic palette blending exotic fruits and white grape with delicate floral touches of acacia, hawthorn and rose, underscored by a subtle vegetal note.

Palate
Full-bodied and generous, it reveals a complex architecture where pure white fruit flavours intertwine with exotic fruits and vibrant citrus notes such as pink grapefruit and lemon. Endowed with a lovely density and crystalline finesse, it is underpinned by a savoury acidity and a chalky, iodine-tinged minerality. The remarkably long finish stands out for its persistent salinity and a subtly integrated oakiness.

Food and wine pairing

This dry white wine pairs beautifully with seafood such as warm oysters, prawns in beurre blanc, or snails. It also complements delicate white fish, veal Milanese, salmon rillettes with dill, as well as fresh or semi-dry goat cheeses such as Valençay.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate the Clos Romans 2024, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 12 and 14°C, after allowing it to breathe for at least an hour. This age-worthy wine can be kept and enjoyed until around 2035.

The pure, mineral expression of a Saumur white wine

The estate

Founded in 1850 in the Loire Valley, the estate now spans 28 hectares. Taken over in 1991 by Thierry and Marie Germain, who remain its current owners alongside their children Louis and Jeanne, it has established itself as a key reference. Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves stands out for its respectful approach to living ecosystems, favouring animal-drawn ploughing and gentle farming practices. This renowned vineyard, awarded three stars in the Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France, embodies a successful family legacy and a constant pursuit of authenticity.

The vineyard

Located in the commune of Varrains, at the heart of the Saumur appellation, the Clos Romans plot is enclosed by medieval walls dating back to the eleventh century. The vines, roughly eighty years old, flourish on a distinctive terroir composed of a layer of clay-sand soil resting on a deep base of Senonian limestone tuffeau. This favourable microclimate benefits from the regulating influence of the river, its tributaries and the Fontevraud forest.

Winemaking and aging

The 2024 Clos Romans grapes are harvested by hand in small crates to preserve the integrity of the berries. After a gentle four-hour pneumatic pressing, alcoholic fermentation begins with indigenous yeasts in 400- to 600-litre oval barrels, over one to two months. The wine is then aged on fine lees for nine months in the coolness of the underground cellars. It undergoes neither fining nor aggressive filtration, ensuring an authentic expression.

Grape variety

100% Chenin Blanc.