Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves : Les Mémoires 2021

Characteristics and tasting advice for Les Mémoires 2021 by Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves

Tasting

Appearance

The wine shows an intense, deep ruby-red color with purple highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals remarkable aromatic complexity, with notes of black fruits (plum, prune) alongside floral nuances of violet, peony and rose. Added to this are chalky, flinty mineral impressions, spicy touches of licorice and anise, as well as subtle smoky and toasty notes. More discreet aromas of menthol, graphite and pencil lead complete this sophisticated bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, the wine charms with its silky, refined texture. The tannic structure—both elegant and present—integrates harmoniously into the whole. The wine displays a medium-to-full body, supported by a bright acidity that brings freshness and vertical lift. The balance between alcoholic richness, acidic structure and tannic framework is remarkable, giving the wine a crystalline impression in which each component remains distinct. The finish, long and persistent, reveals a saline, mouthwatering character that recalls the vineyard’s flinty soils.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs ideally with red meats and game. It matches perfectly with beef tartare, a wild boar stew, roasted venison, or a herb-crusted shoulder of lamb.

Serving and cellaring

Les Mémoires 2021 can be enjoyed now, but it will continue to improve until around 2034, or even beyond. Cellaring in a temperature-controlled wine cellar is recommended to preserve its aging potential.

An outstanding Saumur-Champigny from centenarian vines

The estate

Founded in 1850 by the Duveau family, the Domaine des Roches Neuves underwent a major transformation starting in 1992, when Thierry Germain and his wife Marie took the helm. Based in Varrains in the Loire Valley, this 28-hectare estate has established itself as a benchmark of the Saumur-Champigny appellation. Converted to organic farming in the late 1990s and then to biodynamics (Biodyvin certification in 2005), the estate is now recognized among exceptional producers, with three stars in the Guide Vert of La Revue du Vin de France and five stars from Bettane & Desseauve. Thierry Germain, named Best Winemaker in France in 2011, continues a philosophy centered on living soils and the authentic expression of terroir, progressively joined by his children Louis and Jeanne, who embody the estate’s new generation.

The vineyard

The Les Mémoires cuvée comes from an exceptional clos of around 0.7 to 0.8 hectare located in Dampierre-sur-Loire, overlooking the Loire. The Cabernet Franc vines, planted in 1904, are thus nearly 120 years old. The terroir is composed of Upper Turonian clay-limestone soils with a significant presence of flint, resting on a base of Turonian limestone. This distinctive geological composition, combined with the venerable age of the vines whose roots plunge deep into the soil, gives this Saumur-Champigny wine its remarkable mineral expression and concentration. The vineyard is farmed biodynamically, with meticulous attention paid to each vine, favoring observation and guidance over systematic intervention.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in the Loire Valley was marked by a severe frost episode in April that affected many vineyards. Despite these challenging conditions, Domaine des Roches Neuves managed the vintage with great precision thanks to rigorous vineyard management. June and July were particularly rainy, followed by unstable weather from mid-July to mid-August. Careful vineyard work nonetheless made it possible to obtain high-quality grapes, resulting in wines hailed as a major success of the vintage.

Vinification and aging

The grapes for Les Mémoires 2021 are harvested by hand into small crates and carefully sorted. The whole clusters, not destemmed, are transferred into truncated-cone concrete vats from the Austrian cooperage Stockinger. Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature between 16 and 22°C, followed by a maceration of ten to fifteen days, allowing for measured, balanced extraction. The wine is then aged for twelve months in large-capacity oval casks, encouraging gentle micro-oxygenation while preserving the fruit’s freshness. No filtration or fining is carried out before bottling, thus respecting the wine’s natural integrity.

Grape variety

100% Cabernet Franc