Frédéric Mabileau - Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Eclipse 2017

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Frédéric Mabileau was an emblematic figure in the Loire region, who died tragically on Monday August 31st in a microlight accident. In 2003, with the help of his son, he took over the entire 27-hectare family estate and introduced organic farming methods. Here, two types of soil predominate: clayey-siliceous soils with a tendency towards limestone, which produce the most taut and structured wines, and lower down, on the terrace overlooking the former bed of the Loire, siliceous, sandy or stony soils, known as "gravel", on which the vines flourish, producing a fruitier, greedier wine. The Saint-Nicolas wines on sale embody the delicacy of the appellation's wines: the seams on gravel and clayey loam have a full but silky texture, with assertive tannins and a frank fruitiness. The rouillières seduce with their juiciness and floral finish. For around 15 euros, Bourgueil Roots boasts a clay-gravel terroir that produces one of the most complete wines in its appellation. Chenin-des-rouillères shows a charming facet of the grape variety without sacrificing any of its breed. It is now accompanied by chenin-du-puy, in Saumur, in the same spirit. This is one of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil's priorities!

Guide Hachette des vins

About the domain :

Frédéric Mabileau has been one of the leading figures in Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas since he set up business in 1991, alongside his father's estate. In 2003, the two estates merged, and today the vineyard covers 28 ha. The producer adopted organic viticulture in 2007 and biodynamic viticulture in 2012.

Vinous A. Galloni

About the wine:

Tasted with the 2015, the 2017 Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil L'Eclipse shows more clarity and purity of fruit, the tannins more refined and rounder, though the natural chalky texture is not absent. Interestingly, this vintage was whole-cluster tested and one would expect the stems to be thinner, but the tannins remain refined. There's a touch of medicinal character that could develop in bottle, but for now it's restrained and, rather than detracting, adds an extra element of complexity. Nice freshness.