Domaine Saint-Nicolas - Le Haut des Clous 2014
Loire
White
Sold individually
Drink or Keep
16,5/20
RVF
-
15/20
Bettane & Desseauve
-
91/100
Robert Parker
"The discreet oakiness underlines in finesse Le Haut des Clous, a Chenin of great stature, which will be able to dominate its ageing and the pronounced bitters on the finish; give it a year's cellaring to express its nobility and depth of flavors." (Le Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France 2017 - RVF)
Features
Estate
Domaine Saint-Nicolas
Cuvée
Le Haut des Clous
Vintage
2014
Designation
Fiefs Vendéens
Region
Loire
Grape varieties
100% Chenin
Terroirs
chalky-clay soils, gentle slopes with south-west exposure
Viticulture
biodynamic since 1993
Harvest
in crates
Winemaking
pneumatic pressing, juice selection, light settling, natural fermentation without yeast or chaptalization
Breeding
in lightning for 12 months
Alcohol content
14 %
Organic
Yes
Tasting & pairing
Eye
pale yellow colour
Nose
sappy, delicately spicy
Mouth
Intense, mineral, candied fruit, full, fat finish
Serve
at 10-12°C
Open
1/2 hour before
Drink from
2016
Drink before
2021
Food and wine pairing
ideal with shellfish, fish...
Domain Saint-Nicolas
Fiefs Vendéens
Expert opinion
Bettane & Desseauve
Wine rated (2017 guide) 15/20 (Very good wine)
Domain rated (guide 2024) 3*Stars (High-quality production that can serve as a benchmark in its sector)
About the wine:
A great success for this wine, with its saline tension and real intensity.
About the domain :
Thierry Michon, ably assisted by his sons Antoine and Mickaël, is the leader of the Vendée vineyard. A pioneer of biodynamic viticulture in the region since 1993, he continues to make his 42 hectares of clay, schist and quartz, located on the Atlantic terroir of Brem, in the Pays des Olonnes, between marsh and forest, shine. The oceanic influence brings a unique saline freshness to the wines. This exemplary estate welcomes visitors with great kindness.
Guide des Vins Gault & Millau
Domain rated 4*Stars (top-quality production)
About the domain :
The Michon family has been growing vines on the Ile d'Olonne since 1960. The estate has grown steadily, and today covers almost forty hectares. Thierry is the orchestra conductor here, and with him there's no respite: biodynamic viticulture has been practiced since 1993, across a wide range of grape varieties (pinot noir, cabernet franc, négrette, chenin, chardonnay and grolleau...). It's as if the whole of French winegrowing had gathered on a small island...
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Rated 91/100 (Outstanding wine)
Domain rated Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Wine rated (2017 guide) 16.5/20 (Very good wine)
Domaine rated (2024 guide) 1*Star (Stars in the making or quality winegrowers with a good level of production, you won't be disappointed when you taste the wines from these estates)
About the wine:
The discreet woodiness underlines the finesse of Le Haut des Clous, a large-scale Chenin, which will dominate its ageing and the pronounced bitters on the finish; give it a year's cellaring to express its nobility and depth of flavour.
About the domain :
Thierry Michon, supported by his sons Antoine and Mickaël, runs the only estate of international stature in the Vendée. On the little-known Brem terroir, his vines are entirely biodynamically cultivated, although yields have unfortunately been low in recent years. Under the influence of the ocean, the vineyard produces chenin and chardonnay whites (yellow stone fruits and a saline finish), and long-aged pinot noir reds (Jacques, La Grande Pièce), as well as gamay, negrette and cabernet franc. We're enthusiastic about these saline, finely-crafted whites, but we have reservations about the reds, which are robustly structured by a high degree of ripeness and extraction. The wines are now classified as Vin de France, as the Fiefs Vendéens specifications prohibit single-vineyard and single-place cuvées. How sad to see this appellation fail to recognize its leader!
Customer reviews
Customer rating
4.5/5
on 2 reviews
Note and review by Mlle ARMELLE V. Published on 27/05/2019
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Note and review by M. STEPHANE D. Published on 20/07/2016
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