Chateau Roulerie

Situated in St. Aubin de Luigne, Chateau de la Roulerie, is run today by Philippe Germain. Historically, the Chateau was rather in the shadows of its sister, Chateau des Fesles, which is still run by Philippe’s brother, Thierry. Since taking control of Roulerie in 2004, Philippe has installed a new winery, so that the wines could once again be vinified on site, rather than in the chai of des Fesles and has set to work on improving the vineyards, which are now fully organic and in conversion to biodynamic. After 4 years of graft, the Chateau returned from the winemaking wilderness and vinification of all the production began in-house with the 2008 vintage. Today, Chateau de la Roulerie is among the very finest estates in the Loire. Controlling yields, picking at optimum ripeness, listening to each vintage but always seeking purity and freshness. The resulting range of wines is truly spectacular, starting with the refreshing P’tit Chenin, with its mouth-watering acidity and creamy, ripe palate of subtle green apple and pear fruit, followed by a drip of honey. To follow, Phillipe also produces two exceptional single vineyard, dry Chenin Blancs. The first, the Magnolia, has a fabulous intensity and delicious apricot fruit profile, combined with an elegant mineral character. The second lieu-dit, the ‘Les Terrasses’ is a deep, complex and rich wine, with more pronounced structure, roundness and greater potential for longevity whilst still maintaining elegance and freshness. He also produces a series of exceptional Coteaux du Layon, including, the ‘L’Orangerie’. This is wonderfully unctuous wine, with beautiful minerality and vibrant acidity.