Frédéric Mabileau - Les Coutures 2016

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Frédéric Mabileau was one of the Loire Valley's most iconic figures. He tragically passed away on Monday, August 31, in a microlight accident. In 2003, with the help of his son, he took over the entire 27 hectares of the family estate and introduced organic farming methods. Two types of soil predominate here: clay-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 more fruity and indulgent wine. The Saint-Nicolas wines on sale embody the delicacy of the appellation's wines: the seams on gravel and clayey silt have a full but silky texture, with well-defined tannins and a frank fruitiness. The Rouillières wines seduce with their juiciness and a very floral finish. For around €15, Bourgueil Racines has a clay-gravel terroir that produces one of the most complete wines in its appellation. Chenin-des-Rouillères shows the charming side of the grape variety without sacrificing any of its character. It is now accompanied by Chenin-du-Puy, in Saumurois, in the same spirit. This is one of the priorities in Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil!

Guide Hachette des vins

About wine:

In the glass, the vermilion color is interspersed with violet hues. With good aromatic depth and fine maturity, this wine is characterized by fruit and mature oak, the result of a year of barrel aging. From the first sip, the palate is clean and harmonious, with silky tannins supporting a substantial body. The aromas linger nicely on the finish.

About the estate:

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