Jerome Lenoir - Les Roches

The Cabernet Franc vine is 70 years old and planted on poor soil that offers the vine only 20 to 30 cm of earth, so much so that the roots must plunge into the chalky subsoil to draw their nutrients. This Turonian chalk subsoil is the famous tuffeau, and it has greatly contributed to the reputation of Chinon wines, whose red wines are the most renowned. The Domaine des Roches has also owned, since the late 1950s, a small 23-are parcel of white Chinon (Chenin Blanc). After examination, it was found that the vines predated 1900, thus probably pre-phylloxera and ungrafted. Surrounded by woods and land without vines, it is believed that this parcel may have escaped the destructive insect. The uniqueness of Domaine des Roches lies in its vinification methods, with manual harvesting from the start and grapes destemmed even before their return to the cellar. The risk being oxidation of the first juices, the speed of transfers to the cellar then proves essential. Cabernet Franc, the king grape variety of Chinon wines, is then transferred into very old wooden foudres, where the grapes undergo punching down. Fermentation naturally occurs with indigenous yeasts, and aging lasts from 3 to 6 years in barrels, depending on the vintage. The sole red cuvée from Domaine des Roches undergoes no filtration and only very light sulfiting. The wine's vigor is thus naturally calmed, and it is therefore a civilized and fresh Chinon that Domaine des Roches offers, with superb balance and transparency of flavors achieved through its long aging. In his cellar approach, Jérôme Lenoir produces wines that cannot fail to evoke the expression of Emmanuel Reynaud's wines at Château Rayas (the legendary Châteauneuf-du-Pape). While of course Cabernet Franc cannot be compared to Grenache Noir, the approach to vinification and the imprint on the wines remain similar. Domaine des Roches produces approximately 9,000 to 10,000 bottles per year, and given the duration of aging, vintages are released staggered. Jérôme Lenoir occasionally releases old vintages, and it is highly recommended to seize the opportunity to taste an old Chinon, such as the fabulous 1989 vintage whose patinated flavors and aromas of strawberry, blood orange, undergrowth, and leather will certainly seduce great lovers of aged wines.

Discover other estates from the Loire Valley such as Domaine Didier Dagueneau, Alphonse Mellot, and François Cotat at Vins & Millésimes, which offers you the opportunity to purchase online the finest bottles of white, red, and rosé wines and great vintages from the Loire region. All our young and old vintages are in stock and available for fast delivery! Discover the bottles and magnums from Domaine des Roches available for purchase!