Maison Nicolas Potel, negociant-eleveur of fine red and white Burgundy wines based in Nuits St. Georges, was established in 1998 following the death of Nicolas' father, Gérard, in 1997 and the subsequent sale of his Volnay estate Le Domaine de la Pousse d'Or. Nicolas had previously worked with various producers in Burgundy (Matrot in Meursault and the Domaines Roumier and Juillot) as well as in Australia for the estates of Moss Wood, Leeuwin, Wirra Wirra and Mount Mary and also for Tom Dehlinger in California. Following this period of "apprenticeship" he returned to Le Domaine de la Pousse d'Or for five years until his father's death. Nicolas' contacts and experience enabled him to source high quality grapes from some of the very best growers when launching his own business which expanded rapidly for four years until financial restrictions forced him toseek outside investment which led to the established negociants Cottin Freres buying the business with Nicolas remaining with the company until 2007.
Winemaking Philosophy of Maison Nicolas Potel
The winemaking philosophy of Maison Nicolas Potel is rooted in the idea of minimal intervention in both the vineyard and the winery. The overall concept is to work with what nature provides thus allowing for the true expression of the "terroir", that almost indefinable coalescence of grape variety, soil, geology, aspect and micro-climate which culminates in wines that have a character all of their own. It is the exact opposite of mass-produced wines that rely on a formula and instead requires an understanding of a vineyard's heritage and a knowledge of local terrain, weather patterns and the idiosyncrasies not only of particular grape varieties but also of specific clones to produce the best wine possible in any given year. Intimate knowledge of all these factors results in an almost empathic understanding of the terroir.
The Wines of Maison Nicolas Potel
The Burgundy wines of Maison Nicolas Potel are made with the two great grapes of this region, viz. Pinot Noir for red wines and Chardonnay for white wines. They comprise a wide range of village, premier cru and grand cru wines from Chablis in the north to Pouilly Fuissé and Saint-Véran in the southern-most out-post of wine-producing Burgundy in the Maconnais region. The heart of Burgundy, the Côte-d'Or, is well represented with the famous reds of the Côte de Nuits and the whites of the Côte de Beaune. Great names such as Chambertin, along with several other grand crus from the vineyards around Gevrey, Clos de la Roche from Morey St. Denis, Clos de Vougeot and Romanée Saint-Vivant are complemented by fine premier cru reds from Chambolle-Musigny, Nuits St. Georges and Vosne-Romanee. Village wines as well as those bearing the labels of the Côte de Nuits and the Hautes-Côte de Nuits complete the reds. The Côte de Beaune whites include grand crus from both Corton and Le Montrachetin Puligny, premier crus from Pommard, Meursault, Chassagne and Puligny with the range being completed with village wines from almost all of the notable wine-producing communes. A short distance to the south the wines of the Côte Chalonnais are to be found including the premier cru white wine of Montagny.
The wines in general are noted for the emphasis on the quality of the fruit which always takes centre stage. The current wine-maker Jean-Christophe Pascaud has continued to work according to Nicolas' philosophy and intervention is always kept to a minimum. Grape selection at harvest time is strictly enforced enabling the best wine from any given vineyard to be made each vintage. During fermentation the various cuvées are tasted two or three times a day to glean as much information as possible about the development of the wine-in-waiting. A gentle vertical press is used to run off the liquid which settles naturally before filling the barrels. During the wines' time in barrel a minimum amount of sulphur dioxide is used and the wines are not racked at all, the fine lees being allowed to settle for a period of between 12 and 16 months. Racking only takes place when the wine goes into the vats for the final blend before bottling when the wine is allowed to continue its slow development in the cellars.
The Cardinal's Cellar offers a variety of red and white Burgundies from the quality conscious negociants Maison Nicolas Potel.
Tasting of a Maison Nicolas Potel Wine
