Domaine des Roches Neuves - Thierry Germain - Saumur-Champigny - La Marginale - Red - 2023

Wine:

The 2023 Saumur-Champigny La Marginale Red is Thierry Germain’s most classically styled Cabernet Franc—a confident, grounded expression of the grape. Aged thoughtfully in oak to complement the vibrant, juicy character of the vintage, it shows real energy and depth, with a firm structure built for ageing. This is a radiant, cellar-aged Cabernet Franc with earthy charm and remarkable finesse.

Vinification:

Hand harvested, sorted, fermented in wooden vats with very light pumping over, macerated for 18 to 22 days, aged for 12 months in 228-litre barrels and round casks.

Certified organic and biodynamic wine.

Color:

Intense, brilliant garnet.

Nose:

Aromas of red fruits and spices with a hint of menthol.

Palate:

A standout Cabernet Franc, bursting with vibrant flavours of dark berries and crushed herbs. The tannins are fine and velvety, yet carry real underlying strength. There's clarity, energy, and remarkable finesse here—a cuvée that’s both elegant and full of life.

Temperature:

Decant and serve between 14 and 16°C.

Food and wine pairing:

Beef rib steak, lamb chops marinated in Espelette pepper, oxtail with a spoon, confit quail and grandma's potatoes.

Cellar aging:

From now until 2031

Domaine des Roches Neuves is one of the Loire Valley’s top estates, with 3 stars in the prestigious RVF guide and a reputation that makes it a must for any Saumur fan.

Thierry Germain, now working alongside his son Louis and daughter Jeanne, has built a style focused on clarity and freshness. His biodynamic approach and careful ageing give the wines their signature balance: ripe Cabernet fruit with floral notes, a fresh crunch, and just the right structure to let it all shine.

This is a benchmark estate that keeps raising the bar. The latest Whites are bright, salty, and full of that chalky Chenin character. The Reds are vibrant and silky, with just the right bite to keep things lively. Top Loire wines with real energy and personality!