Roches Neuves Saumur-Champigny La Marginale 2020

Roches Neuves Saumur-Champigny La Marginale is Thierry Germain's biodynamic old-vine Cabernet Franc, raised in a single 25-hectolitre foudre.

Saumur-Champigny is the leading red appellation of the middle Loire, planted to Cabernet Franc on limestone, and Roches Neuves has done as much as any estate to lift its ceiling. Marginale is drawn from parcels on the limestone of Fossés de Chaintre, in the lieux-dits Les Dares and Clos Maurice, plus a small block of old vines on Turonian limestone in the celebrated Les Poyeux. These are among the estate's oldest and lowest-yielding vines, second only to Les Mémoires, and the farming is biodynamic. The wine spends 12 months in a large Stockinger foudre that had to be assembled inside the cellars, then finishes in three-year-old Burgundian barrels. Since 2013 Germain has used a shorter maceration, and the wines have gained balance, with a finesse and precision of fruit rarely found outside Burgundy.

Approachable at three years and capable of fifteen. Serve at 16-18°C with roast duck, herbed lamb 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.