Winemaker Notes
In the 1990's, Thierry Germain left the winemaking traditions of Saint-Émilion to study the one of the most elegant red producers in the Loire: Clos Rougeard. Now with a prestigious career of his own, Germain releases small productions of reds that continue the tradition of finessed Cabernet Francs in Saumur-Champigny. The Terres Chaudes fruit is Biodynamically farmed from the Les Poyeux lieu-dit, fully de-stemmed, and fermented in cement before resting in foudres for one year. The profile is generous with red and black fruits balanced by a touch of acidity.
Pair with game meats and lamb, or enjoy after it has had a moment to breathe.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
One of an impressive series of single-parcel wines by Thierry Germain, a major figure on the biodynamic vineyard scene, this comes from one of the appellations's top vineyards called Les Poyeux. It was matured in old wood for 12 months, adding spice to its succulent red fruits. It is still young, with a fresh vegetal character that will broaden as the wine matures. Drink from 2021.
Cabernet Franc, a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon, is the subtler and more delicate of the Cabernets. Today Cabernet Franc produces outstanding single varietal wines across the wine-producing world. Somm Secret—One of California's best-kept secrets is the Happy Canyon appellation of Santa Barbara. Here Cabernet Franc shines as a single varietal wine or in blends, expressing sumptuous fruit, savory aromas and polished tannins.
Praised for its stately Renaissance-era chateaux, the picturesque Loire valley produces pleasant wines of just about every style. Just south of Paris, the appellation lies along the river of the same name and stretches from the Atlantic coast to the center of France.
The Loire can be divided into three main growing areas, from west to east: the Lower Loire, Middle Loire, and Upper/Central Loire. The Pay Nantais region of the Lower Loire—farthest west and closest to the Atlantic—has a maritime climate and focuses on the Melon de Bourgogne variety, which makes refreshing, crisp, aromatic whites.
The Middle Loire contains Anjou, Saumur and Touraine. In Anjou, Chenin Blanc produces some of, if not the most, outstanding dry and sweet wines with a sleek, mineral edge and characteristics of crisp apple, pear and honeysuckle. Cabernet Franc dominates red and rosé production here, supported often by Grolleau and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sparkling Crémant de Loire is a specialty of Saumur. Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc are common in Touraine as well, along with Sauvignon Blanc, Gamay and Malbec (known locally as Côt).
The Upper Loire, with a warm, continental climate, is Sauvignon Blanc country, home to the world-renowned appellations of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. Pinot Noir and Gamay produce bright, easy-drinking red wines here.