Thierry’s domaine, Roches Neuves, whose vineyards are planted in the Saumur (Blanc) and Saumur-Champigny (Rouge) appellations, has rightfully become one of the greatest examples of high achievement in biodynamic vine growing in France. We put him up there with the greats: Abbatucci in Corsica, Ganevat in the Jura, Ostertag in Alsace. His total dedication to site specific wines produced from Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc, his “parcellaires,” has produced some of the most exciting wines in the Loire Valley today.
In the 1990’s, Thierry Germain left the winemaking traditions of Saint-Émilion to study the one of the most elegant red producers in the Loire: Clos Rougeard. Now with a prestigious career of his own, Germain releases small productions of reds that continue the tradition of finessed Cabernet Francs in Saumur-Champigny. The Terres Chaudes fruit is Biodynamically farmed from the Les Poyeux lieu-dit, fully de-stemmed, and fermented in cement before resting in foudres for one year. The profile is generous with red and black fruits balanced by a touch of acidity.
Tasting Notes
The “Terres Chaudes” cuvée is neither filtered nor fined before bottling: its deep, dense colour can therefore appear slightly cloudy. The wine features a concentrated nose that combines very ripe dark fruits, full and deep on the palate with an array of spices.
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Terres Chaudes 2017 | One of an impressive series of single-parcel wines by Thierry Germain, a major figure on the biodynamic vineyard scene, this comes from one of the appellations’s top vineyards called Les Poyeux. It was matured in old wood for 12 months, adding spice to its succulent red fruits. It is still young, with a fresh vegetal character that will broaden as the wine matures. Drink from 2021.
Wines
From Domaine des Roches Neuves
Bulles de Roche
Terres Chaudes
Franc de Pieds
Clos de L’Esceliers Blanc
Outre Terre
