In the glass
Aroma: blackcurrant, crushed limestone, violet, fresh tobacco
Palate: cassis, chalk, fine tannin, long mineral grip
Walled single-vineyard from tuffeau-limestone soils. Thierry Germain's flagship cuvee blends old oak and amphora ageing for a perfumed, mineral Cabernet Franc with serious cellar potential.
What it pairs with
-
Roast wild boar with juniper
Game and the wine's tobacco-and-violet register align directly. -
Beef cote de boeuf grilled over vines
Charred beef and the wine's chalky tannin grip are mutually flattering. -
Mature Comte 30 months
Crystalline nutty cheese sharpens the wine's mineral length. -
Truffled poularde
Truffle and the wine's iron-and-chalk register align elegantly.
History
Clos de l'Echelier is Thierry Germain's walled single-vineyard cuvee from old-vine Cabernet Franc on tuffeau. The wine blends old oak and amphora ageing under Demeter biodynamic farming.
- 2000 — First vintage of Clos de l'Echelier
Facts
- Producer
- Domaine des Roches Neuves
- Grapes
- Cabernet Franc (100%)
- Classification
- Saumur-Champigny AOC
- Oak
- 16 to 20 months in oak demi-muids and amphora, around 15 percent new
- ABV
- 13.0%
- Price
- EUR 50 to 90 at retail
- Drinking window
- 8 to 25 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2000
- Biodynamic
- Demeter Certified
- Organic
- DEMETER
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Scores
- Wine Advocate 94 (2018 vintage, reviewed 2020)
- Vinous 93 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Clos de l'Echelier
What does Clos de l'Echelier taste like?
Blackcurrant, crushed limestone, violet and fresh tobacco on the nose; cassis, chalk, fine tannin and a long mineral grip on the palate. Full-bodied with firm tannins and high acidity.
When should I drink Clos de l'Echelier?
Drink between 8 and 25 years from vintage. Decant 60 to 90 minutes for young vintages.
What food pairs with Clos de l'Echelier?
Roast wild boar with juniper, beef cote de boeuf grilled over vines, mature Comte 30 months, and truffled poularde are all canonical matches.
How long is Clos de l'Echelier aged?
16 to 20 months in oak demi-muids and amphora with around 15 percent new oak, then bottle-aged before release.