Anjou Rouge, Château de la Roulerie 2023 (organic)

Château de la Roulerie is a 36 ha estate at Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné in the Coteaux du Layon area of Anjou. The vineyards were established in the 14th century and the estate dates from the 19th century. It was purchased by Bernard Germain in 1994 before passing to his son Philippe Germain and daughter in-law Marie in 2004.

The Germains are a long-established family in the area with Philippe’s brother owning a nearby property and their father an ex-owner of the famous Château de Fesles. Planted with Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon on well-positioned, south and south-west facing schistous slopes, the vineyards produce Anjou red and white as well as Coteaux du Layon and Coteaux du Layon Chaume. Philippe has renovated the buildings and equipment and moved the winemaking, which was at another of his father’s properties, back to the estate. In 2011 he started the conversion to organic and biodynamic viticulture, achieving certified organic status in 2015. Yields are low – generally around 30 hl/ha – and the wines are made using minimal intervention favouring freshness and elegance. There is no malolactic fermentation, skin contact or bâtonnage and only old, large oak barrels of 600-700 litres are used so the influence is restrained. There is minimal use of sulphur to keep the freshness and vibrancy in the wines and no finings are used with only a very light filtration, so all the wines are vegan friendly too.