Domaine des Roches Neuves (Thierry Germain)

Clos de L'Échelier Dampierre Sur Loire Saumur Champigny Cabernet Franc

9.271 ratings
9.326 pro ratings
Saumur, Anjou-Saumur, Loire Valley, France
Cabernet Franc
Exotic Spices, Baking Spices, Hard Cheese, Blue Cheese, Chili & Hot Spicy, Pungent Cheese, Potato, White Rice, Herbs, Tomato-Based, Pasta, Mushrooms, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Salami & Prosciutto, Beef, Soft Cheese, Chicken, Lamb, Turkey, Pork, Duck, Venison
Top Notes For
Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

Been a while since I have had these wines and wow is this insanely great. Nose is a bit quiet but there’s some cassis and kirsch and slight herbal edge that’s so appealing. Smokey and very complex. But the palate is OMG level. Juicy and so sleek. Sweet fruit, unreal velvety tannin and so fresh. Structure to burn and such freshness and a huge mineral finish. Out of this world. Can’t wait till it opens up. Masterful. Unreal complexity and elegance. This could go to 9.7.

Been a while since I have had these wines and wow is this insanely great. Nose is a bit quiet but there’s some cassis and kirsch and slight herbal edge that’s so appealing. Smokey and very complex. But the palate is OMG level. Juicy and so sleek. Sweet fruit, unreal velvety tannin and so fresh. Structure to burn and such freshness and a huge mineral finish. Out of this world. Can’t wait till it opens up. Masterful. Unreal complexity and elegance. This could go to 9.7.

Nov 9th, 2025
Tracy Hall

Nice food wine. A little more acid than most this vintage but nice red fruits. Please decant. Spicy curry or Thai food is best. There was a small glass the next day and I swear it smelled and tasted like raspberry fruit roll ups and cherry pixie sticks. TBL

Nice food wine. A little more acid than most this vintage but nice red fruits. Please decant. Spicy curry or Thai food is best. There was a small glass the next day and I swear it smelled and tasted like raspberry fruit roll ups and cherry pixie sticks. TBL

Sep 13th, 2022
Charles (Chad) Bucklin

Owner and founder of C. T. Bucklin Wine Advising

9.0

Compact and super tight. Quite austere. Just ripened fruit. Great complexity and substantial structure. Long finish.

Compact and super tight. Quite austere. Just ripened fruit. Great complexity and substantial structure. Long finish.

Feb 24th, 2022
Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

Super aromas. Mesmerizing. Herbal, cassis, light cherry, mineral and so so lifting. Super complex and so transparent. Sweet fruit on the palate, so nimble, elegant and mineral. This just floats and has a Burgundian sensibility. So balanced and wowza pure. Ripe and super elegant tannins. Superb. Has more to say.

Super aromas. Mesmerizing. Herbal, cassis, light cherry, mineral and so so lifting. Super complex and so transparent. Sweet fruit on the palate, so nimble, elegant and mineral. This just floats and has a Burgundian sensibility. So balanced and wowza pure. Ripe and super elegant tannins. Superb. Has more to say.

Oct 13th, 2020
Ian Staub

This year I’m working through the small back-vintage grip of these Thierry Germain wines I’ve been sitting on for a bit. Notes are pretty consistent across the board for the reds: they require a couple hours of air to properly open up, and then even then they are quite reserved. However, they are exceedingly elegant and varietally accurate. Perfectly balanced. Nice wines, I wonder if I’m opening them too early?

This year I’m working through the small back-vintage grip of these Thierry Germain wines I’ve been sitting on for a bit. Notes are pretty consistent across the board for the reds: they require a couple hours of air to properly open up, and then even then they are quite reserved. However, they are exceedingly elegant and varietally accurate. Perfectly balanced. Nice wines, I wonder if I’m opening them too early?

May 8th, 2020
Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

So so young. And Dumb. But so much potential.

So so young. And Dumb. But so much potential.

Feb 12th, 2019
Kiley Baker

Certified Specialist of Wine/Educator/Owner of Wine Genie LLC

9.1

Yes yes yes

Yes yes yes

Oct 20th, 2018
Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

Unreal nose. Quiet yet clean. On fleek. Super berry but also a hint of Cab Franc hebaciousness. Smells like right bank Bordeaux from the 80’s. So on. Palate has loads of sweet fruit and lively acidity and a lovely mineral spine. Such a great mouthfeel. Lithe yet packed. Very elegant and finishes so mineral.

Unreal nose. Quiet yet clean. On fleek. Super berry but also a hint of Cab Franc hebaciousness. Smells like right bank Bordeaux from the 80’s. So on. Palate has loads of sweet fruit and lively acidity and a lovely mineral spine. Such a great mouthfeel. Lithe yet packed. Very elegant and finishes so mineral.

Apr 18th, 2018
Josh Morgenthau

Glorious. Delightfully floral, fruity, typical cab franc notes. Touches of cocoa, toasted almond, herbs, and a real soulful tartness. Truly a wine of balance, with all the complexity of the grape but also delicious now. This will evolve I’m sure but hard to beat how it is today.

Glorious. Delightfully floral, fruity, typical cab franc notes. Touches of cocoa, toasted almond, herbs, and a real soulful tartness. Truly a wine of balance, with all the complexity of the grape but also delicious now. This will evolve I’m sure but hard to beat how it is today.

1 person found it helpfulNov 22nd, 2022
Josh Morgenthau

Green aromas to start: mint, field herbs and black pepper and, as this blossoms, violets, black currants and moss emerge. Concentrated, silky palate. Great, but seems like this is still a baby. Expecting it to gain a lot with age.

Green aromas to start: mint, field herbs and black pepper and, as this blossoms, violets, black currants and moss emerge. Concentrated, silky palate. Great, but seems like this is still a baby. Expecting it to gain a lot with age.

1 person found it helpfulMay 19th, 2020