Frédéric Mabileau - Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil Les Rouillères 2023

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 :

A leading figure in Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas since setting up in 1991, Frédéric Mabileau has built up a 35-hectare estate that has been farmed organically since 2007 and biodynamically since 2012. Following his accidental death in 2020, his son Remy took over. Charly, the other son, opened Chez Odette, a restaurant dedicated to local and seasonal cuisine, in the estate's courtyard.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate