Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves : Terres Chaudes 2021

Characteristics and tasting advice for Terres Chaudes 2021 by Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves

Tasting

Appearance

The wine shows an intense ruby hue, bright and luminous, enhanced by violet-blue and cherry highlights.

Nose

The bouquet is initially discreet before gradually opening up with aeration. It then reveals fine aromatic complexity, with notes of red fruits such as blackcurrant, blueberry, cherry, blackberry and fresh raspberry. These fruity aromas are complemented by floral touches of iris, violet and peony, along with spicy nuances of pepper, clove and cinnamon, accompanied by hints of cedar and mint.

Palate

The medium-bodied structure is direct and precise, with a fleshy, comforting feel that evolves into a well-framed finish shaped by dynamic tannins. The palate offers pleasant freshness highlighted by notes of eucalyptus and bergamot, while the fruit-driven texture with hints of cooked fruit brings a silky, refined dimension. The crystalline finish lingers with elegance and grace, marked by a persistent chalky character. Overall, the wine expresses remarkable balance, emphasizing finesse and minerality.

Food and wine pairings

"Terres Chaudes" 2021 pairs perfectly with roast young duck with spices, a seven-hour lamb Parmentier, or a lamb tagine with prunes, apricots and fresh almonds. It also matches well with roe deer with celeriac fries, quince confit and turnip, as well as dishes based on white meats and spiced poultry.

Serving and cellaring

Terres Chaudes 2021 can be enjoyed now but will gain depth with a few years of aging. Drink through around 2030.

An elegant, mineral Saumur-Champigny from Domaine des Roches Neuves

The estate

Founded in 1850 by the Duveau family, Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves is located in Varrains, in the heart of the Loire Valley, five kilometers from Saumur. In 1992, Thierry Germain, then 23 years old and representing the sixth generation of Bordeaux winegrowers, took over the estate with his wife Marie. The couple gradually converted the vineyard to organic farming from the late 1990s, then to biodynamics in the early 2000s, obtaining Biodyvin certification in 2005. In 2012, they definitively acquired the land and expanded the estate to 28 hectares spread across 61 parcels. Recognized as an essential reference for biodynamics in France, the estate has received the highest accolades from La Revue du Vin de France and Bettane & Desseauve. Since 2018 and 2020, their children Jeanne and Louis have joined the family adventure.

The vineyard

The Cabernet Franc vines from which this Saumur-Champigny is made are on average 35 to 45 years old. They are planted on the Poyeux hillside, in the commune of Chacé, on a terroir characterized by a chalky tuffeau subsoil and clay-sandy soils with a predominantly limestone influence. This geological composition gives the wine its distinctive chalk-driven tension. The vineyard is farmed entirely biodynamically, with yields deliberately limited to 35–40 hectoliters per hectare. Natural ground cover and biodiversity are favored, with part of the work carried out using animal traction.

The vintage

The winter of 2021 in the Loire was marked by an exceptionally severe frost episode affecting vineyards across France. A milder spring allowed flowering at the end of May, followed by particularly rainy months in June and July. Weather instability was observed from mid-July to mid-August.

Vinification and aging

The grapes for Terres Chaudes 2021 are harvested by hand into crates and sorted on a table before vatting. Fully destemmed, they are placed in a 60-hectoliter truncated-cone vat for temperature-controlled fermentation between 15 and 22°C, preceded by a 2- to 5-day maceration allowing indigenous yeasts to begin their work. Time in vat lasts 18 to 22 days, followed by one year of aging on fine lees in 60-hectoliter wooden vats and a 12-hectoliter oval vat. The wine is neither filtered nor fined before bottling, thus preserving the brightness of the fruit and the identity of the terroir.

Grape variety

100% Cabernet Franc