Val du Loir

Producer Profiles – Coteaux du Vendômois

Domaine Jacques Noury

The cloth cap wearing Jacques Noury is a sixth generation farmer, the succession passing through the maternal line of the family. With his wife, Annie, he raises cattle for market and has 110 hectares of arable land dedicated for cereal production. The cellar is located in an ancient cave in the pretty hamlet of Houssay. From a central entrance three spurs disappear into the hillside. At the front, there are the remains of an old basket press which Jacques remembers was used up until around twenty years ago. They started bottling their own wines in 1983.

Wine Overview :
They work 14 hectares of vines on the plateau above Houssay, although only one third is dedicated for the production of appellation Coteaux du Vendômois wines. The Pineau d’Aunis vines here are the oldest, at around 70 years, with Chenin and Gamay at both around 15 years of age.

The Wines :
The conditions for making wine are rustic to say the least and it is obvious that wine doesn’t necessarily take precedence over the other functions of the domaine, which are probably more profitable and generate a more immediate return than viticulture. These are simple and rustic wines, however if you’re passing through and you can find Jacques hanging around, be sure to ask for a cellar tour.

2007 Coteaux du Vendômois Gris
Simple and clean, but with a hint of possible premature oxidation. Clean, fresh and mineral, but overall pretty dilute and neutral. Drink now. (12/08)

2007 Coteaux du Vendômois Blanc
Bright. Pale appearance. Old fashioned Chenin nose of wet wool. Earthy and rustic with some faint marzipan flavours. Lightweight, but with a nice thread of minerality and firm acidity. Bitter to finish. This could age, but won’t throw off its rusticity. (12/08)

2006 Coteaux du Vendômois Blanc
Clean but neutral nose. Mid weight with a tight mineral structure. Flavours of apples and pears. Bone dry, and this could evolve with time. Better balance, with a good mineral finish. (12/08)

2002 Coteaux du Vendômois Blanc
Supple, open and evolved nose, although still rustic and with some terpine and ‘organic’ aromas. Dry, taut and mineral on the palate with some ‘maritime’, oyster shell like flavours. Unknit and sour on the finish. Very ordinary. (12/08)

2000 Coteaux du Vendômois Blanc
Straw-yellow. Mid depth. Attractive and delicate honeyed nose. Forward and open. The palate is beset with more maritime flavours and comes through as dry and austere. Unevolved. (12/08)

2004 Coteaux du Vendômois Rouge
A blend of 50% Pineau d’Aunis, 40% Pinot Noir and 10% Cabernet Franc. Light, organic and rustic. However, has a degree of attractive bitter cherry notes and a spicy, savoury edge. Light, with raised acidity on the palate with flavours of pepper and mint. Very rustic, but has charm. Grippy finish with some bitterness. Drink now. (12/08)

2005 Coteaux du Vendômois Rouge
Dull appearance. Mid depth red. Youthful to rim. Aromatic nose, but distinctly savoury and animal. It shows some spice behind. A bit hollow on the palate with some dusty flavours and is short on the finish. Drink now. Average. (12/08)

Jacques & Annie Noury
Les Caves Baudet
2 Rue Saint-Rimay
Houssay
T: + 33 2 54 83 36 04
T: + 33 2 52 86 65 32
F: + 33 2 54 85 19 30

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