Nicole Tapon
Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, Franc
WHERE
WHO
Nicole Tapon
Pre-Conventional (never used serious chemicals like pesticides or weedkillers)
Diverse in style and geography
HOW
Jus de Raisin de Saint-Émilion-Grand-Cru (1 Litre)
Château Bellevue, Blanc de Bordeaux « Hippocampe » (W)
Château Bellevue, Blanc de Bordeaux « Sirène » (W)
VDF « Pink Tapon » Bonne Résille (Rosé)
Clairet de Bordeaux « Pink Tapon » Cochons (Rosé)
Clairet de Bordeaux « Pink Tapon » Pulli Pastus (Rosé)
Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion « Soutiens-George Gershwin » (R)
Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion « Clos du Pavillon » (R)
Château Raymond-Tapon, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru (R)
WINES
Nicole is the 16th generation of the Tapon family to make wine in Bordeaux’s iconic Saint-Émilion. Despite the region’s reputation for red wines, Nicole is best known for her ‘Clairet de Bordeaux’ -a rare style of deeply coloured, ageworthy, dry Rosé. During our visit in 2021, we tasted the 2018, 2013, 2010 and 2006 each wine provided a compelling, gastronomic experience that combined the best of mature Claret with a fragrant, fresh lift.
Nicole’s Red wines are diverse in style and geography and she follows a distinctly Burgundian structure to reflect the diversity of terroir, featuring her own name first rather than the multiple châteaux and parcels that she works with. Alongside the classic Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc, Nicole works with Bouchet, Pressac and a range of ‘unauthorised’ varieties from vines planted before appellation laws restricted their planting.
Nicole’s 16 year old daughter, Aliénor, is already testing her hand at winemaking. Alongside school, she is involved in pruning, tasting and fermenting the wines. She also makes a special selection of Saint-Émilion musts that become an unfined, unfiltered, zero SO2, single-vintage grape juice: Hypp One.
“Men pass, the earth remains. The pride and emotion of working on this terroir remain intact. Our duty to preserve this unique and original place, of which we are only the custodians, is stronger than ever. Our ancestors have been present in Saint-Émilion since the 16th century.”
100% Merlot
50 year old vines. Red Clay & Asterias Limestone.
Organic.
14 year old Aliénor Tapon (Nicole’s daughter) is already testing her hand at winemaking. Alongside school, she is involved in pruning, tasting and fermenting the wines. She makes a special selection of Saint-Émilion musts that become an unfined, unfiltered, zero SO2, single-vintage grape juice: Hypp One.
very full bodied and serious grape juice, somewhat savoury, sweet, of course but the sugar is miraculously well integrated behind structure and complexity. Drink alone, top up with sparkling water or mix into a cocktail / mocktail.
Clairet de Bordeaux.
Merlot Noir, Cabernet Franc
50 year old vines. Limestone-clay soils.
Old school Clairet made from bled-off juice from the best parcels of red. Finishes fermenting in French oak barriques. A full bodied, bone dry rosé that gives Tavel and Xinomavro a run for their money.
Bordeaux Right Bank
Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon, Muscadelle
Aged in barriques.
Nicole is the 16th generation of the Tapon family to make wine on Bordeaux’s iconic Right Bank. Despite the region’s reputation for red wines, Nicole is best known for her ‘Clairet de Bordeaux’ -a rare style of deeply coloured, ageworthy, dry Rosé. During our visit in 2021, we tasted the 2018, 2013, 2010 and 2006 each wine provided a compelling, gastronomic experience that combined the best of mature Claret with a fragrant, fresh lift. Nicole’s Red wines are diverse in style and geography and she follows a distinctly Burgundian structure to reflect the diversity of terroir, featuring her own name first rather than the multiple châteaux and parcels that she works with.
Saint-Georges Saint-Emilion
100% Merlot Noir
50 year old vines. Red Clay & Asterias Limestone.
Organic.
Concrete fermentation and elevage in 1st, 2nd and 3rd fill oak barrels. Christmas Claret personified.
Bordeaux Right Bank
Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon, Muscadelle
Oldest parcels planted in 1933. Limestone-clay soils.
Aged in barriques. Unfined, unfiltered. Oxidative, floral, honied, nutty, toasted almonds and botritic aromatics give way to a bone-dry, high acid, fleshy wine with a gastronomic palate.
Bordeaux Right Bank. Vin de France
Merlot Noir, Cabernet Franc
50 year old vines. Limestone-clay soils.
Old school Clairet made from bled-off juice from the best parcels of red. Finishes fermenting in French oak barriques. A full bodied, bone dry rosé that gives Tavel and Xinomavro a run for their money.