The Still & The VineSchool of Wine & Spirits
Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur Blanc Clos Romans 2023
White WineIssue 130

Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur Blanc Clos Romans 2023

Domaine des Roches Neuves

Saumur, Loire Valley, France
Thierry Germain's biodynamic Chenin Blanc from the Clos Romans parcel is a masterclass in terroir-driven white wine. The tuffeau limestone of Saumur gives this wine its remarkable mineral density, while the Chenin grape provides the lift and acid architecture. This is a white wine of profound weight that feels weightless — quarry and cloud in a single glass.

Kit Aromas

Tasting Notes

Nose

Precise and mineral-driven, with green apple and citrus zest leading. A faint chalky quality sits alongside white flowers and a hint of crushed oyster shell. No oak influence — pure fruit and stone.

Palate

Taut and focused, with a coiled tension on entry. Green apple and gooseberry define the palate, while a honeyed richness begins to emerge at midpalate without ever tipping toward sweetness. The texture is almost chalky, recalling the tuffeau limestone beneath the vineyard.

Finish

Long and mineral, with persistent citrus and a saline quality that keeps the palate engaged. The acidity is electric.

Specifications
Varietal
Chenin Blanc
Blend
100% Chenin Blanc
Vineyards
Clos Romans single parcel, tuffeau limestone soils, biodynamically farmed
Alcohol
13.0%
Organic / Biodynamic
No
Skin Contact
No
Serve & Pair

Food Pairing

The wine's saline minerality and electric acidity are a natural match for briny oysters, while a classic shallot mignonette echoes the vineyard's herbaceous, grassy undercurrent.

The Story

Spanish-born Thierry Germain arrived in the Loire Valley in 1991 and gradually converted Domaine des Roches Neuves to biodynamics, coaxing Chenin Blanc from ancient tuffeau limestone parcels into wines of extraordinary mineral purity.

Train These Aromas
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