Daniel Sage’s Nyctalopie is a blend of Pinot Noir and a bit of Gamay. Fresh roses on the nose, a great wine as soon as it was opened. A very nice expression of Pinot Noir, very delicate and expressive, with a texture that I haven’t had in a long time. Sage’s wines really have this special energy, a balance between a slight VA and wine that just makes them unique and with a explosive freshness. Nyctalopie belongs to these light reds that have complexity and don’t fall in the classic natty glouglou. This cuvée was a bunch of fresh roses with red fruit, with a lingering finish and a huge huge energy. A difficult wine to find but definitely worth it if you get your hands on it.
Aubépine 2017 is a 100% Chenin from Vallée Moray in Montlouis. The winemaker had recommended me to open the bottle 24 hours before, being a bit scared of too long openings, I went for 12 hours before. The bottle still had a little gaz 12 hours after opening, which protects the wine very well. This is one of the greatest Chenin I’ve had this year, with a depth and complexity I’ve rarely seen (think À Nous La Liberté by Rouillard, or Leroy). The nose was incredibly rich and complex, with notes of autolyse and ripe Chenin. On the palate this wine just textures everything. It has an association of a brilliant acidity and a ripe roundness that make it perfectly balanced, with a viscosity at the end that keeps it resonating. The bitters are astounding, no traces of wood or sulfites. Just a massive energy, from a free wine. He also makes a cuvée named Cailloutis that is already tasting very well, and like Aubépine, can age very very well.
Two great free wines, without chemicals, that just show the energy and complexity that natural wines can have.
IAmHeliosCR
Always a pleasure to see you post!
awkwarduous
Been wanting to try Sage’s wines for the longest time. Like you said, difficult to find. Don’t think much, if any, of his bottles make it out to where I am.
3 Comments
Two great and lively bottles.
Daniel Sage’s Nyctalopie is a blend of Pinot Noir and a bit of Gamay. Fresh roses on the nose, a great wine as soon as it was opened. A very nice expression of Pinot Noir, very delicate and expressive, with a texture that I haven’t had in a long time. Sage’s wines really have this special energy, a balance between a slight VA and wine that just makes them unique and with a explosive freshness. Nyctalopie belongs to these light reds that have complexity and don’t fall in the classic natty glouglou. This cuvée was a bunch of fresh roses with red fruit, with a lingering finish and a huge huge energy. A difficult wine to find but definitely worth it if you get your hands on it.
Aubépine 2017 is a 100% Chenin from Vallée Moray in Montlouis. The winemaker had recommended me to open the bottle 24 hours before, being a bit scared of too long openings, I went for 12 hours before. The bottle still had a little gaz 12 hours after opening, which protects the wine very well. This is one of the greatest Chenin I’ve had this year, with a depth and complexity I’ve rarely seen (think À Nous La Liberté by Rouillard, or Leroy). The nose was incredibly rich and complex, with notes of autolyse and ripe Chenin. On the palate this wine just textures everything. It has an association of a brilliant acidity and a ripe roundness that make it perfectly balanced, with a viscosity at the end that keeps it resonating. The bitters are astounding, no traces of wood or sulfites. Just a massive energy, from a free wine. He also makes a cuvée named Cailloutis that is already tasting very well, and like Aubépine, can age very very well.
Two great free wines, without chemicals, that just show the energy and complexity that natural wines can have.
Always a pleasure to see you post!
Been wanting to try Sage’s wines for the longest time. Like you said, difficult to find. Don’t think much, if any, of his bottles make it out to where I am.