Domaine Saint-Nicolas - Le Haut des Clous 2016

Name: Domaine Saint-Nicolas - Le Haut des Clous 2016
Brand: Domaine Saint-Nicolas
Rating: 4 (7 reviews)

Fiefs Vendéens|White wine|Organic

Loire

White

Sold individually

Drink or Keep

4/5 (7 customers)

16/20

RVF

(2015 Vintage ratings)

Le Haut des Clous is robust, straightforward and superbly persistent. This is an intense, mineral white, with candied fruit and a full, fat finish with a subtle hint of sweetness... A great match for fish or shellfish... Not to be missed!

Features

Estate

Domaine Saint-Nicolas

Cuvée

Le Haut des Clous

Vintage

2016

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

12,5 %

Residual sugars

15 g/l

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

2018

Drink before

2024

Food and wine pairing

ideal with shellfish, fish...

Domain Saint-Nicolas

More information on Domaine Saint-Nicolas

Fiefs Vendéens

More information on Fiefs Vendéens

Expert opinion

Bettane & Desseauve

Domain rated (guide 2024) 3*Stars (High-quality production that can serve as a benchmark in its sector)

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

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

Rated (2018 guide) 16/20 (Vintage 2015) (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 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

on 7 reviews