A strong mineral slant, yet prominent fruit, ample on the palate. A Chenin Blanc that displays its characteristics in a direct, frank manner.
Nicolas’ estate ‘Le Clos des Treilles’ is located in the village of Sainte-Radegonde, in the Anjou A.O.C. Appellation. The Chenin Blanc vines of Clos des Treilles are planted on siliceous clay (clay with flint), with a little limestone mixed into it; viticulture is organic.
Harvest is manual Harvest, wild yeasts only, temperature is not controlled so fermentation takes place at ambient temperature. It is followed by a naturally triggered Malolactic fermentation. No fining or filtration; Tiny amount of sulphur added at bottling; aged for 12 months in used oak barrels (used for 2 to 5 wines) without racking.
Nicolas was a Jazz and blues pianist until he was 22 at which age he became a winemaker. He had always been passionate about wine, and when he was finding it difficult to earn his living in the music business, he decided on a dramatic career change. He studied winemaking and viticulture at Montreuil and supplemented these studies with more at Bordeaux. He also worked with several local Anjou vignerons to acquire valuable experience. He bought this vineyard in 2002 from another viticulteur. Some years later, in 2007, he founded his own négoce business, buying grapes from other growers, because the 1.3 hectares of vines of his own estate were not producing enough grapes to satisfy demand.