Roches Neuves Saumur Blanc Clos Romans 2019

Roches Neuves Clos Romans is a biodynamic Saumur Blanc from Chenin vines inside an eleventh-century walled priory enclosure.

Thierry Germain came to Saumur from Bordeaux and now farms biodynamically across the appellation. Clos Romans sits on a ridge at Parnay, just outside Saumur: a thin thirty-centimetre layer of sandy clay over Senonian limestone bedrock known as Pierres de Champigny, the stone used to build Château Champigny and quarried into the troglodyte dwellings below. Germain acquired the site in 2007 and has been replanting steadily at a density of 12,000 vines per hectare, using massale selection so that the parcel does not give a single, uniform expression. The grapes are hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed, then fermented in a neutral oval cask where the wine rests nine months on lees. It is one of the more serious dry Chenins made in the Loire, with the weight and length usually associated with fine white Burgundy.

Worth decanting young; it will develop over ten years or more. Serve at 10-12°C with roast chicken, scallops or a washed-rind cheese.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.