Saumur Clos Romans Blanc 2019 94WA
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves

94 pts Wine Advocate
From Souzay-Champigny and cultivated on clay-limestone terroir with just a 30-centimeter layer of clayey sand before the Seonian limestone is present, the 2019 Saumur Blanc Clos Romans has a straw yellow color and a deep yet subtle and complex bouquet of white fruits intertwined with the flinty limestone aromas. Pure, fresh and juicy, with great finesse and mineral tension, this is a refined and highly elegant Saumur Chenin with a persistent, sustainably structured finish. It's an impressive wine and one of the finest dry Chenins I have had from the Loire this year. Tasted in June 2021.

• Chenin Blanc: 70 years in Sand, Clay, Turonien Supérieur Limestone (1ha)
• Fermented in 600L (1 year old) demi-muid for 3 months
• Aged on fine lees in 600L demi-muid for 9 months
• Commune: Dampierre sur Loire
• Vineyard is an actual clos, surrounded by a wall built 300 years ago

Thierry Germain has significantly influenced the contemporary style of Saumur-Champigny wines, finding a balance between the ripeness of Cabernets and their aging in various types of wooden tanks or containers. His commitment to the vineyards, embracing biodynamic farming since 2003 and horse plowing since 2004, underscores his reputation as one of France's distinguished winegrowers. Looking to the future, Germain is sharing his knowledge and insights with his son Louis, who plays a vital role in the estate. They have introduced a new storage approach: aging certain single-vineyard wines for 10 years before releasing bottles, a notable move in their strategy. Germain's wines stand out for their purity and freshness, emphasizing elegance over power. Over the years, he has shifted from a strong oak presence to crafting wines highlighting the terroir's inherent qualities, ensuring the wood aging complements rather than masks the wines' mineral flavors.