Domaine de Rocheville, 2024 Update
The Saumur region is one rich in variety, with cult estates turning out red wines listed by eager merchants alongside first growths from Bordeaux and the grandest Burgundies, beautifully mineral whites which can challenge any limestone-derived Chenin from across the Paris Basin, and let’s not forget a broad array of frolicking fizz that will quickly put a smile on your face. And, given the favourable prices (for most of the wines, obviously there are exceptions!), possibly on your bank manager’s face as well.
Secreted among this melée there are any number of domaines which turn out excellent wines but, when lined up against the region’s cult names, are too easily overlooked. One of these is Domaine de Rocheville. Quality here has been slowly edging up in recent years, proprietor Philippe Porché and director Jérôme Callet grasping the organic nettle in 2016, and then securing certified organic status in 2019. The current range of wines all come from certified vineyards.
I met up with Philippe earlier this year to taste the latest releases. Wines from the 2023 vintage I have already reported on in my Loire 2023 First Taste report, so are not included here. I have compensated for this by adding a quartet of notes from a tasting made during a flying visit to the domaine in 2023.
