Domaine Saint Nicolas
For a number of years now we kept running across the wines of Domaine Saint Nicolas in interesting restaurants, wine bars and wine stores throughout France including such prestigious places a Guy Savoy, Taillevent and Arpege. We have now been representing Domaine Saint Nicolas in Australia for over two years.
We always enjoy our convivial visits to Thierry Michon's winery on the Atlantic coast of France south of the city of Nantes. We always spend a very enjoyable afternoon tasting the entire range of his wines and bumping around his extensive vineyard plots in his white van. His commitment to biodynamics is commendable. He often comments that 'he is alone' meaning that his vineyards are not next to any other vineyards where there might be sprays used.
These are great wines from the Fiefs Vendéens appellation - one that is not very well known outside the Loire, however it is the only place in France where Pinot Noir and Gamay are grown in a maritime climate!
Domaine Saint Nicolas Fiefs Vendéens Les Clous Blanc 2009
The 2009 vintage of Les Clous is one of the best yet. It has a little more Charonnay than usual. It is beautiful wine made from a mix of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay with a little Groslot Gris in this vintage. You can almost taste the sea in this wine!
RRP: $29
Certified organic by Ecocert and biodynamic by Demeter
Domaine Saint Nicolas Fiefs Vendéens Reflets Rouge 2008
This was the first wine we ever tried from Domaine Saint Nicolas and we were hugely impressed with the quality. We didn't realise that it was Thierry Michon's entry level wine! It is a blend of Gamay, Pinot Noir, Negrette and Cabernet Franc. It is a sensible 12.5% alcohol.
RRP: $32
Certified organic by Ecocert and biodynamic by Demeter
Domaine Saint Nicolas Fiefs Vendéens Reflets Rouge 2009
This was the first wine we ever tried from Domaine Saint Nicolas and we were hugely impressed with the quality. We didn't realise that it was Thierry Michon's entry level wine! It is dominated by Pinot Noir in this vintage but often has some Negrette, Gamay and Cabernet Franc blended in as well. It is a sensible 12.5% alcohol.
RRP: $29
Certified organic by Ecocert and biodynamic by Demeter
Domaine Saint Nicolas Fiefs Vendéens Reflets Rose 2009
The Domaine Saint Nicolas Rose is a delicate, pale pink perfumed beauty that is perfect as an aperitif.
RRP: $26
Certified organic by Ecocert and biodynamic by Demeter
Domaine Saint Nicolas Fiefs Vendéens Le Haut des Clous Blanc 2007
This is the prestige white from this domaine and is made from 100% Chenin Blanc. It has been aged for 18 months with up to 20% of the wine exposed to new oak to gain complexity.
RRP: $47
Domaine Saint Nicolas Fiefs Vendéens La Grande Pièce Rouge 2004
This is one of the domaine's prestige red wine and is made from pure Pinot Noir from vines that are at least 25 years old and that provide very low yields (<30 hectolitres per hectare). It is already elegant and refined but will continue to improve with age. It is a sensible 13% alcohol.
RRP: $59
Certified organic by Ecocert and biodynamic by Demeter
Domaine Saint Nicolas Fiefs Vendéens La Grande Pièce Rouge 2005
This is one of the domaine's prestige red wine and is made from pure Pinot Noir from vines that are at least 25 years old and that provide very low yields (<30 hectolitres per hectare). It is already elegant and refined but will continue to improve with age. It is a sensible 13% alcohol.
RRP: $63
Certified organic by Ecocert and biodynamic by Demeter
Domaine Saint Nicolas Fiefs Vendéens Cuvee Maria Blanc 2005
Cuvee Maria is named after Thierry's grandmother. This is a very Burgundian wine being made from pure Chardonnay and aged in new oak. If you like the wines of Burgundy then you will love this cuvee.
RRP: $47
Certified organic by Ecocert and biodynamic by Demeter
Domaine Saint Nicolas Fiefs Vendéens Cabaret Rouge 2006
This is a wine that is typical of the Loire region. It is made from pure Cabernet Franc that has been aged in barriques for a year. This is a particularly good example of a Loire Cabernet Franc. It is a great food wine which is drinking very nicely now.
RRP: $35
Certified organic by Ecocert and biodynamic by Demeter
Domaine Saint Nicolas Fiefs Vendéens Cuvee Jacques Rouge 2005
This silky cuvee is named after Thierry's grandfather and is a blend of Pinot Noir (85%) and Cabernet Franc (15%). It was aged in barriques for 18 months prior to bottling.
RRP: $45
Certified organic by Ecocert and biodynamic by Demeter
Domaine Saint Nicolas Fiefs Vendéens Cuvee Le Poiré 2007
This is an intriguing wine made from an intriguing grape (100% Negrette). The colour is deep red and the flavour has hints of cherries and plums and a lingering, intense spiciness. One reviewer referred to it as 'brooding and primary' and scored it at 93/100! It is a great, full-flavoured, intense wine. We think it is like a Pinot Noir on steroids! This one is well worth a try.
RRP: $55
(We also have a few cases of 2004 available at $49)
Certified organic by Ecocert and biodynamic by Demeter
Domaine Saint Nicolas Fiefs Vendéens Plante Gate Rouge 2006
As with the La Grande Piece, the Plante Gate is one of the domaine's prestige red wine and is made from pure Pinot Noir from vines that are at least 25 years old and that provide very low yields (<30 hectolitres per hectare). It is from a different part of the vineyard to the La Grande Piece. It is already elegant and refined but will continue to improve with age. It is a sensible 13% alcohol.
RRP: $73
Certified organic by Ecocert and biodynamic by Demeter