Thierry Germain Saumur-Champigny Les Roches 2022

Organic. 100% Cabernet Franc. Although the winemaking remains the same as for Roches Nueves ‘Domaine’ Saumur-Champigny, there are a few key differences with this cuvée. The vineyards are owned and farmed by Thierry Germain’s employees, whom he has encouraged and supported to get on the property ladder and farm organically. Germain then buys the harvest and makes this négoce Saumur-Champigny. The soils in these sites have a little more chalk than those that contribute to the Roches Neuves Saumur-Champigny, though, in our experience, you would be hard-pressed to tell the wines apart! With the emphasis squarely on fruit purity, drinkability and freshness, expect lifted scents of violets and red fruits with a juicy, punchy palate of pepper-tinged black raspberry and graphite framed by silky tannins and a long, peppy finish. Don’t serve it too cool; just line up the charcuterie and pop that cork.