Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves : Terres Chaudes 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes for Saumur-Champigny "Terres Chaudes" 2023

Tasting

Colour
The colour reveals a beautiful red hue.

Nose
The nose generously reveals vibrant aromas of raspberry and fresh cherry, enhanced by notes of green herbs, sweet spices, violet and a mineral touch.

Palate
The palate offers a remarkable balance between warmth and freshness. Structured and expressive, it unfolds with energetic acidity and silky, refined tannins, leading to an elegant finish.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs wonderfully with roasted white meats seasoned with herbs, poultry, or dishes highlighting rosemary or tarragon. It also goes very well with fine cured meats, winter vegetables with mushrooms, as well as goat cheeses or ripened soft cheeses.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate the "Terres Chaudes" 2023, it is recommended to serve it slightly chilled, at cellar temperature. This wine can be enjoyed young but will continue to evolve favourably, drinking well until around 2033.

Other characteristics

This wine is bottled without fining or filtration, preserving its full aromatic and textural complexity.

The elegance and minerality of a great Saumur-Champigny wine

The estate

Originally founded in 1850 by the Duveau family, the estate underwent a genuine turning point when it was acquired in 1991 by Marie and Thierry Germain. Located in Varrains, France, at the heart of the Loire Valley, the estate now spans approximately 28 hectares. Under the leadership of Thierry Germain, the current owner and winemaker, the estate has risen to become one of the region's key references. Deeply committed to the authentic expression of terroir, Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves stands out for its respectful approach to viticulture, certified biodynamic since 2005, favouring wines of great finesse.

The vineyard

The cuvée comes from a vineyard of approximately 4 hectares located in the commune of Chacé, within the Saumur-Champigny appellation. The vines, with an average age of 35 to 45 years, thrive on the renowned lieu-dit Les Poyeux. This terroir benefits from a privileged south and west-facing exposure, at an altitude ranging between 40 and 60 metres. The soils consist of an upper clay-limestone layer resting on subsoils of white tuffeau chalk, giving the grapes a distinctive mineral identity.

The vintage

The year 2023 began under favourable auspices, with a spring spared from frost and ideal flowering between late May and early June. However, June brought tropical heat and humidity, followed by a drier July with below-average temperatures. August, particularly humid, slowed down ripening. Despite heavy rainfall in mid-September, dry and warm periods at the end of the season allowed the grapes to reach optimal ripeness, requiring rigorous work in the vineyards.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for "Terres Chaudes" 2023 are harvested by hand in small crates, followed by careful sorting on a table. Fermentation, triggered by indigenous yeasts, takes place in cement vats at rigorously controlled temperatures. A maceration of a few days precedes a total vatting period of 18 to 22 days, allowing for gentle extraction. The wine is then aged on fine lees for approximately 12 months in large wooden vessels, alternating between foudres and oval vats, to preserve the purity of the fruit.

Grape variety

100% Cabernet Franc