Wines made from organically cultivated grapes

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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate #172
The Robert Parker's magazine gives extensive and precise tasting notes on all of our wines, with high marks from 90 to 95... Read the technical wine sheets for more...

Overall comments (extracts):
"Christine and Eric Nicolas has risen to the ranks of the Loire's (and thus the world's) elite white wine practitioners, a tribute to their insight and determination as well as to the inherent potential of this once renowned but for half a century moribund region.
(...)
Not content to craft world class whites, the Nicolas have also elevated the Pineau d'Aunis (a.k.a. Chenin Rouge) to levels no previous Loire grower or wine enthusiast envisioned."

Le Grand Guide des Vins de France 2010 by Bettane & Desseauve
"Eric Nicolas is re-writing the story of Sarthe wines with great style. This ace of the Chenin grape has returned to massal selection and his work in the vineyards has proved to be beyond reproach year after year. The 2006 wines have convinced us as to the progression in quality of this estate. vinification is exemplary and the different wines express the characteristics of their terroir with precision: the Coteaux-du-Loir are beautifully based and the Jasnières have a depth and refinement unique in the region. It is worth decanting these wines two hours before serving. The Rouge-gorge blend, made from the red Pineau d'Aunis, is full of fruit and spice and drinks beautifully."
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Gault Millau Wine Guide 2010
"Since 1995, and always with passion, Eric Nicolas has made great strides to improve the image of Sarthe wines. The vines are all worked and sprayed as little as possible. Thanks to massal selection and to a very crowded planting density of 9300 plants per Hectare, the wines have increased in depth of flavour. "Astonishing", "complex", "tender yet powerful", are adjectives which describe Eric Nicolas' wines. If you wish to be convinced, taste "Calligramme" with its subtle nose of orange flower and linden, followed by spice, wax, amber and clove... The mouth has the same flavour profile: the attack is gentle, and then opens out to burn with white pepper. Magnificent. The "Vieilles Vignes Eparses" are the densest, but with a vibrant and subtle structure. "Rouge-Gorge" possesses a finely floral freshness, and then shows a structure that is both long and profound. Delightful."
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Les Meilleurs Vins de France 2010
(="La Revue du Vin de France" wine guide)
"This young estate lifts high once more the hitherto extinguished flame of Sarthe wines. Its wines show all the potential of these forgotten terroirs. The reasons for his success are the same as they are everywhere else in France, uncompromising viticulture and simple but meticulous vinification. The Coteaux-du-Loir "Vielles Vignes Eparses" gives a tight white wine, with remarkable aromatic refinement, (evolving towards gentian). Logically it is less long than the Jasnières, which fully justify the names of "Discours de Tuf" or of "Elixir de Tuf". They express their terroir with clarity. These are must-haves for all Chenin connoisseurs. The unusual reds made from Pineau d'Aunis, powerful fine and delicate distil delicate spicy hints.
The wines: the 2008 tasted before bottling, therefore not marked – the Jasnières Calligramme is magnificent in persistence and mineral density, which it shares with the Coteaux-du-Loir "Vieilles Vignes Eparses" which with elegance and power raises high the refinement of the Chenin grape. As for the bottles of the very dry 2007 vintage, the whites are very mineral, with an almost salty finish in "Les Rosiers", fine and subtle sweetness in "L'Effraie", while the prize for balance is given to the vibrant and extremely refined Calligramme, which you just have to procure several bottles of."
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Guide Hachette des Vins 2010
Les Rosiers 2007 : 1 étoile. « Les Rosiers 2007: 1 star "Completely dedicated to the preservation of the terroirs and of the environment, Eric Nicolas has been farming a 13 Ha vineyard for about 15 years. It has been farmed organically since 2005 and it is in process of being converted to Biodynamic agriculture. "Les Rosiers" 2007 are an excellent expression of this search for the natural assets of his terroirs: a fruit filled and lemon scented nose, an open attack, a delicate and well balanced body, finishing on the freshness of exotic fruits. A "real" wine which will accompany grilled fish. »

Guide des Vins Bio 2010-2011  (= "Organic wines guide")
L'Effraie 2007 : « A fine example of a Chenin wine. Golden, the chenin nose (…) is full of complex and very typical scents of white fruits, white flowers, with a touch of minerality and hints of bracken, herb infusion and spices. The generous mouth unfolds smoothly and agreeably, and finishes with long and persistent suggestions of minerality and fruit. »
Vieilles Vignes Eparses 2007 : « A harmonious and elegant wine (…) of pale yellow robe. The nose displays a discreet bouquet of white fruits, white flowers, with suggestions of bracken, tea and the faintest mineral hints. On the mouth the wine is delicate, subtle, well balanced and juicy. The aging has been well handled, with 18 months in previously used barrels. An attractive finish on fruit and minerality. »
Les Rosiers 2007 : « Minerality in the glass. This bottle, clothed in palest gold, 100% low yielding Chenin, shows still understated notes of peach & sloe, with touches of sweet spices and attractive minerality. This minerality is to be found on the mouth, which is lively, fruit-filled, expressive and very well put together, and fills the finish which is long and persistent. »

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