Nicolle Croft SIP

22/01/2025

How to keep warm 98 and 2022

22/01/2025

Two brothers ( or sisters! But I always think of Pichon Baron as masculine) 2019 and 2014 , one a bit older; smooth, charming any edges have been rounded off with time, the other is vibrant and punchy with lots of promise to come.

21/01/2025

Sometimes particularly when tasting older wines with tertiary leathery, earthy characteristics there is an additional aroma that comes through that is distinctly medicinal. It is the marker of a a 'funky' unwanted wild yeast called Brettanomyces. It was so current in the past that we often attributed its characteristics to the 'terroir' but it is a fault as it can mask fruit and disturb the balance of a wine and leave a dried out finish....

Sometimes particularly when tasting older wines with tertiary leathery, earthy characteristics there is an additional aroma that comes through that is distinctly medicinal. It is the marker of a a …

26/12/2024

I love to continue further beyond Pauillac to the rolling hills of St Estèphe. Its one of my favorite appellations. Most people unfortunately however on the Route de Châteaux (the D2) turn around once they reach this most northern appellation in the Haut Medoc. Once having feasted their eyes on the grandeur of Château Lafite Rothschild on Pauillac's most northerly border, they cross the last canal, that drains the wet lowlands, before we rise to another impressive splendour, the oriental pagodas of Cos d'Estournel....

I love to continue further beyond Pauillac to the rolling hills of St Estèphe. Its one of my favorite appellations. Most people unfortunately however on the Route de Châteaux (the D2) turn around o…

24/12/2024

'Les Terres Rouges' from the limestone plateau - 100% old vine Merlot - hand signed by 9th generation winemaker Franck Moureau.It is a limited edition of 2000 bottles 'micro-cuvée using indignenous yeasts and no sulphites until barrel ageing. It is a wine dedicated to Franck's grandmother 'Manou' who gave him and his sister this beautiful vineyard overlooking the wooded valley (Thomas' favorite place to play)....

‘Les Terres Rouges’ from the limestone plateau – 100% old vine Merlot – hand signed by 9th generation winemaker Franck Moureau.It is a limited edition of 2000 bottles & #821…

24/12/2024

Château Canon Chaigneau is located near to Néac at one of the highest points of the area, a continuation of the Pomerol plateau. Famous names such as Petrus and Lafleur lie across the Barbanne to its south. It is a 20 hectare vineyard is mostly clay which favours the early ripening Merlot grape which composes 93% of the vineyard. This wine is produced by Thierry Garnaud, winemaker who spent many years at Cheval Blanc....

Château Canon Chaigneau is located near to Néac at one of the highest points of the area, a continuation of the Pomerol plateau. Famous names such as Petrus and Lafleur lie across the Barbanne to i…

24/12/2024

Ninth generation winemaker and owner Franck Moureau makes a classy wine from his 8 hectares of vineyard plots at the foot of the limestone plateau in St Laurent des Combes. Famous neighbours include Terte Roteboeuf and Bellefont Belcier. Different plots bring a varied terroir including blue clay, sand and some limestone which brings complexity to this elegant wine. Tasting Notes 2020; …...

Ninth generation winemaker and owner Franck Moureau makes a classy wine from his 8 hectares of vineyard plots at the foot of the limestone plateau in St Laurent des Combes. Famous neighbours includ…

24/12/2024

Young winemaker Anthony Yaigre makes a supple St Julien style wine in the village of Cussac Fort Medoc, the village before St Julien. The blend is 53 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. The terroir is similar to that of St Julien with a hilltop of sandy Günzian gravel. Tasting Notes 2020; this is what the French call a 'gourmand' wine full of fruit and cherry pie flavours, mulberries, and fresh blackberries....

Young winemaker Anthony Yaigre makes a supple St Julien style wine in the village of Cussac Fort Medoc, the village before St Julien. The blend is 53 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 5% Petit Verd…

24/12/2024

Yves Raymond family have made wine in Listrac not too far from Margaux since 1750 on vineyard of 17 hectares (42 acres). Its blend is has a majority of Merlot which makes this wine rich, juicy and fresh. The spicy Petit Verdot does very well in this sandy clay soil and gives a brightness to this rich wine. This is the traditional blend of the wines of Listrac; 59% Merlot, 17% Petit Verdot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Carmenère....

Yves Raymond family have made wine in Listrac not too far from Margaux since 1750 on vineyard of 17 hectares (42 acres). Its blend is has a majority of Merlot which makes this wine rich, juicy and …

24/12/2024

Seventh generation Vincent and his father Guy Petrus (yes this famous Pomerol was not so long ago in the family) run together this tiny domain of 5 hectares (12 acres) on the prestigious limestone plateau of St Emilion. It is one of only two producers that make wine within the walls of the medieval village. Bottles are aged in the underground old quarries under the chateau that stay the same temperature all year long....

Seventh generation Vincent and his father Guy Petrus (yes this famous Pomerol was not so long ago in the family) run together this tiny domain of 5 hectares (12 acres) on the prestigious limestone …

23/12/2024

Jean-Yves Bechet and his wife Michele have been some of the pioneers of biodynamic viticulture some 20 years ago in Côtes de Bourg on Right Bank. They make this fabulous authentic wine in a unique terroir of some river stones over special blue clay over 'fronsadais molasses' (calcareous sedimentary rock from freshwater fossilised seashells and animals). A low-lieing slope drains water into two little rivers creating a well-drained terroir....

Jean-Yves Bechet and his wife Michele have been some of the pioneers of biodynamic viticulture some 20 years ago in Côtes de Bourg on Right Bank. They make this fabulous authentic wine in a unique …

13/12/2024

St emilion forgot to post it from last week

11/12/2024

Geometry in St Emilion.

08/12/2024

Finding the special discoveries in very helpful maison du Vin

03/12/2024

one of my favorites. Blend of tradition and beauty

29/11/2024

Atlantic coast

28/11/2024

Perfect egg, my perfect restaurant

23/11/2024

On the border of Pomerol in the top left corner of St Emilion lies a special deep clay terroir that produces wines reminiscent of these silky opulent wines.