Saumur Champigny La Marginale

Domaine des Roches Neuves
Picture a cabernet franc that's pure silk. Thierry Germain farms these old vines biodynamically on the limestone slopes above the Loire, and you can taste that chalky freshness in every sip. The grapes come from a single parcel of low-yielding vines, hand-picked and fermented whole-bunch with native yeasts, then aged gently in large oak so the fruit stays front and centre. Expect dark cherry, crushed violets, a twist of graphite and tannins that glide rather than grip. Give it an hour in a decanter and pour it alongside roast lamb or a rare côte de bœuf. Honestly, it's hard to resist.
30.94 € incl tax

-5% for 6 identical bottles

18 in stock

Wine name: Saumur-Champigny La Marginale

Vintage: 2023

Producer: Domaine des Roches Neuves (Thierry Germain)

Grape varieties: Cabernet Franc 100%

Region: Loire Valley

Appellation: Saumur-Champigny AOC

Vinification method: Hand-harvested fruit from old vines (around 50 years), whole-cluster and destemmed berries, indigenous yeasts, fermentation in wooden vats and concrete, gentle infusion-style extraction with light pigeage, ageing for about 12 to 18 months in large oak casks and demi-muids, minimal sulphur, bottled unfined and lightly filtered or unfiltered

Maceration: Long maceration of roughly three to four weeks at controlled temperature

Colour: Deep ruby with purple highlights, bright and dense

Bouquet: Black cherry, blackcurrant, violet, crushed blue fruits, graphite and a touch of sweet spice, with a fine smoky-mineral edge

Palate: Full and silky, dense core of dark berries, fine-grained velvety tannins, lively freshness, saline limestone finish of great length

Alcohol content: 13% vol.

Soils: Tuffeau limestone and clay-limestone over chalky subsoil

Farming: Certified organic and biodynamic (Demeter), horse ploughing on selected plots

Ageing potential: 10 to 15 years

Food pairing: Roast rib of beef, lamb with herbs, duck breast, game birds, mushroom risotto, mature Comté or Saint-Nectaire

Serving temperature: 16 to 17°C, decanting for one hour recommended