Roches Neuves Saumur-Champigny La Marginale 2017

Roches Neuves La Marginale is Thierry Germain's old-vine Saumur-Champigny, pure Cabernet Franc from biodynamically farmed limestone parcels.

Saumur-Champigny sits on the left bank of the Loire east of Saumur, on Turonian limestone, the same tuffeau that the region's cellars are cut into, and Cabernet Franc is the only red grape of consequence. Marginale is drawn from parcels on the limestone of Fosse de Chaintre, in the lieux-dits Les Dares and Clos Maurice, together with a small block of old vines on Turonian limestone in Les Poyeux. It comes from the estate's oldest and lowest-yielding vines apart from Les Mémoires. The cuvée traces Germain's shift from concentration towards finesse: since 2013 he has used a shorter maceration, and the wine is now raised for twelve months in 25-hectolitre Stockinger foudre before finishing its ageing in three-year-old Burgundian barrels bought from a grower in Vosne-Romanée.

Balanced and precise, drinking well young but with a decade in hand. Serve at 16°C, or a touch cooler, with roast duck, veal or a mushroom tart.

*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.