Home > Producer Profiles > Loire Profiles > Domaine de Nerleux

Domaine de Nerleux

Domaine de Nerleux is home to Elisabeth and Régis Neau, who are the eighth generation of winemakers to reside in the 17th Century mansion that lies at the hub of the domaine. From here they oversee 84 ha of vines, which comprises 45 hectares of Cabernet Franc, 38 hectares of Chenin Blanc and 1 hectare of Chardonnay. The average age of the vines is 25 years, the oldest vines having been planted in1933. The terroir is largely limestone, and the vineyards are co-planted with grass. The harvested fruit, some of which may be picked in tries, gives rise to a number of cuvées, red, white and sweet.

There are three examples of Saumur-Champigny produced, starting with the introductory Cuvée Les Nerleux, a blend across the vineyards. Then there are two site-specific cuvées; the Clos des Châtains, situated on the south western slopes of the hill near St. Cyr, containing old vines, and Les Loups Noir (meaning the black wolves, Nerleux being old French for just such an animal) which is a selection of fruit from the slopes of the Thouet Valley and around Saumoussay. The whites, which are all Chenin Blanc, include a basic Cuvée Les Nerleux, and a selection named Les Loups Blancs. There are also white and rosé sparkling cuvées of Saumur, as well as a Les Loups Dorées, a Coteaux de Saumur made from carefully selected Nobly rotten Chenin Blanc. (16/6/06)

Contact details:
4, rue de la Paleine 49260 St Cyr-en-Bourg
Tel : +33 (0) 2 41 51 61 04
Fax : +33 (0) 2 41 51 65 34
www.domaine-de-nerleux.com

Domaine de Nerleux - Tasting Notes

Click to locate stockists.

Domaine de Nerleux Saumur-Champigny Clos des Châtains 2006: No maceration, fermentation 20-30ºC. A very minerally nose here, a great depth of fruit too. A good and very correct style. The palate is supple, with a weightier midpalate, although it remains very fresh and defined. Supple elegance, but with fleshy-juicy pleasure above this. A nice touch of grip at the finish. One of the better wines here, for sure. This wine was tasted at a Project Cabernet Franc tasting. 17+/20 (October 2008)

Domaine de Nerleux Saumur Blanc 2006: A pale to mid-gold colour. The nose starts off with some classical papery Chenin aromas, before moving into a more concentrated, dried, golden-fruit character. On the palate, after several hours of air, it shows some good richness and depth, but with firm structure, almost tannic backbone, plenty of spice and pepper through the middle and finish, and a warming length. A good wine which takes a little while to get going - a good example of an inexpensive wine which undeniably benefits from decanting. From a tasting of Saumur wines. 16.5/20 (January 2010)

Domaine de Nerleux Saumur-Champigny Clos des Châtains Vieilles Vignes 2006: A very dark hue, concentrated and slightly glossy, with plenty of colour right out to the rim. It starts out with a little green peppercorn on the nose, but this soon disappears behind a layer of fruit, red and dark alongside one another, all very fresh. Black cherry, plum skin, cherry stone, crunchy black berry fruit, along with nuances of soot, charcoal and pepper. There follows a lovely texture on entry, with a little richness but certainly not fat, savoury and sappy alongside the firm, slightly stony fruit. Dry, reserved, a little tannic, lovely food wine, overall delicious. Drink now with a decant, or keep. From a tasting of Saumur wines. 17+/20 (January 2010)

Domaine de Nerleux Saumur-Champigny Cuvée les Nerleux 2003: A light sediment of potassium tartrate crystals here, stained wine red. The wine itself has a good colour, dark cherry red although not too dense. Quite a captivating character on the nose, which has prominent cherry fruit with little notes of raspberries, with fleeting glimpses of black pepper and tobacco. Minerally, dry, pithy palate, like sucking a cherry stone, with some delicious flavour. Very refreshing fruit framed by delightfully presented acidity. An excellent example of what Saumur has to offer. 17.5/20 (June 2006)