Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves : Terres Chaudes 2020

Tasting characteristics and advice for Terres Chaudes 2020 by Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a deep ruby-red hue with violet and garnet highlights, tinged with cherry nuances. This color reflects well-controlled extraction and fine ripeness, while preserving freshness and vibrancy.

Nose

The nose becomes explosive with aeration, unfolding remarkable aromatic complexity. First impressions evoke red and black fruits: blackcurrant, blueberry, cherry, raspberry, and blackberry. With aeration, floral and spicy dimensions emerge—violet, peony, and iris—along with notes of pepper, clove, and cinnamon. More subtle touches of camphor and fern complete this bouquet of rare precision.

Palate

The attack is clean and direct, revealing the wine’s acidic and tannic structure. The mid-palate shows substantial substance with slightly candied fruit, balanced by fine minerality and refreshing acidity. The tannins stand out for their silky finesse and elegance. The finish lingers beautifully, with notes of eucalyptus and bergamot that add complexity and freshness. Overall, it combines richness and energy in harmonious balance.

Food and wine pairings

This Terres Chaudes 2020 is an ideal match for a lamb tajine with almonds and prunes, a seven-hour lamb parmentier, or venison with prunes. Lamb preparations and red meats with sweet spices and dried fruits make particularly fine pairings.

Serving and cellaring

Terres Chaudes 2020 benefits from being aerated for 30 to 60 minutes before serving to fully reveal its aromatic complexity. Its optimal drinking window extends until around 2029, although some specialists suggest cellaring potential that could reach 2037.

A biodynamic Saumur-Champigny of rare aromatic precision

The estate

Founded in 1850 by the Duveau family, the Domaine des Roches Neuves underwent a decisive turning point in 1992 when Thierry Germain, from a Bordeaux winegrowing family, took over this 12-hectare property located in Varrains in the Loire Valley. Today at the helm of a 28-hectare vineyard spread across 61 plots, Thierry Germain has turned the estate into an essential benchmark for Saumur-Champigny. Converted to biodynamics and Biodyvin-certified since 2004, the estate has been awarded three stars by La Revue du Vin de France. Thierry Germain himself was named Best Winemaker in France in 2011. His children, Louis and Jeanne, are now part of the family adventure, carrying on a philosophy centered on sensory perception and respect for nature’s balances.

The vineyard

"Terres Chaudes" comes primarily from the lieu-dit Les Poyeux, regarded as one of the most prestigious terroirs in the Saumur-Champigny appellation. The vines, around 40 to 50 years old, are rooted in clay-sandy soils over tuffeau, the limestone rock characteristic of the Loire. This combination of substrates gives the wine structure and freshness. The vineyard is farmed biodynamically, with part of the plots worked using draft horses, in keeping with natural cycles and soil life.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage proved demanding across the Loire Valley as a whole. After significant humidity early in the season created disease pressure, conditions improved, allowing satisfactory grape ripening. Despite these climatic challenges, experienced winegrowers like Thierry Germain successfully navigated the difficulties to produce balanced, lively, and generous wines, meant to be enjoyed in their youth while retaining cellaring potential.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Terres Chaudes 2020 are harvested by hand in small crates after a sensory assessment of skin ripeness. Following complete destemming, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled 60-hectoliter truncated conical vats between 15 and 22 degrees Celsius, preceded by a 2- to 5-day pre-fermentation maceration. Daily infusions and pump-overs are carried out for 15 to 20 days. The wine is then transferred to 60- and 12-hectoliter oval foudres for 12 months of aging on fine lees. No filtration or fining is carried out before bottling, thus preserving the wine’s authenticity and natural complexity.

Grape variety

100% Cabernet Franc