Domaine de la Cotelleraie - L'Envolée 2011
15,5/20
RVF
“The 2011 Envolée takes maturity to the next level: dense tannins, depth, but fruit that’s slightly candied. ” (Le Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France 2015 - RVF). A superb Saint-Nicolas, smooth on the palate, velvety, and with intense fruit and a long finish. Richness, complexity, elegance—it has it all!
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Eye
dark red dress
Nose
Very delicate on the nose, powerful yet elegant
Palate
Smooth on the palate, velvety, with intense fruit flavors and a long finish. Rich, complex, and elegant.
Serve
decant at 14-16°C
Open
30 minutes before
Drink from
2015
Drink before
2021
Production
sorting before destemming, maceration for 3 to 4 weeks
Food and wine pairings
Pair it with red meat, game, veal shank in a crust, pot-au-feu...
Bettane & Desseauve
Rated estate (2025 guide) 2*Stars (A solid, recommendable vintage, though slightly more consistent and uniform than the previous one)
About the estate:
By converting his vineyard in Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil to organic farming, Gérald Vallée has undertaken a thorough approach to respecting the grapes. His wines reflect all the elegance and delicacy that the appellation’s diverse terroir has to offer. The range is impressive right from the entry-level wines, which are elegant, refined, deep, and flavorful. There is something for everyone in this range of very reasonably priced wines.
Guide des Vins Gault & Millau
Rated 1*Star (High-quality production)
About the estate:
Gérald Vallée cultivates 27 hectares of Cabernet Franc, all of which have been converted to organic farming, with the care one would expect: soil cultivation, leaf removal… The entire production is classified under the Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil appellation. In the cellar, no yeast or enzymes are added to the vats.
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Wine rated (2015 guide) 15,5/20 (Good wine)
Rated estate (2026 guide) 2*Stars (These exceptional estates, often boasting fabulous terroirs, are must-haves that, thanks to the consistency and excellence of their wines, deserve a place in the cellars of discerning wine lovers)
About the wine:
The 2011 Envolée takes maturity to the next level: dense tannins and depth, but with a slightly candied fruit profile.
About the estate:
The meticulous Gérald Vallée leaves nothing to chance in his winemaking process, which involves fermentation in wooden vats and aging in barrels. He produces full-bodied, seductive Cabernet Francs, characterized by smooth tannins that make them approachable even in their youth, yet also endowed with good aging potential. Recent vintages have gained considerably in fruit brightness, bringing them closer to the freshness of their terroir. The “fruit-forward” cuvée La Croisée is crafted with spontaneity, while Les Perruches is delicately styled in wooden vats to highlight the identity of these flinty clay soils. On the Coteau du Vau Jaumier, the Cabernet Franc reveals an inimitable smoothness and “sandy texture.” And Postumus? A marvel of Cabernet Franc vinified from whole clusters, with notes of citrus and rose—a wine that stands out not only for the region but for the rest of the world as well. The added vibrancy and freer expressions, while remaining highly precise, invite us to award a second star.
Customer rating
3.8/5
based on 6 reviews
Review by Mr. DIDIER B. Published on May 14, 2015
Unusual for a St. Nicolas. Leans toward Bordeaux. What's the point?
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Review by Mr. JEAN FRANCOIS Q. Published on 11/30/2018
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Review by Mr. JEAN MARC B. Published on July 27, 2018
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Review by Ms. ANNIE P. Posted on May 21, 2018
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Review by Mr. PHILIPPE D. Published on April 23, 2018
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Review by Mr. JEAN PIERRE M. Posted on May 14, 2015
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