Le Fief Noir

Le Fief Noir is the realization of a dream of two young wine makers, Dominique Sirot and Alexis Soulas, who met one another while working in Corsica. After visiting dozens of estates with available land, the two of them felt strongly drawn to Anjou as a place where they wanted to settle, raise families, and make expressive, terroir-driven wines. Their 20 ha domain is located in the village of St-Lambert du Lattay, in the heart of the “Anjou Noir,” which takes its name from the black Schist soil that dominates the terroir here. This soil is ideal for Chenin Blanc which can obtain its ideal richness here, balanced with bright minerality and acidity. Dominque and Alexis work organically and all the vineyard work and harvest is conducted manually. They also grow Cabernet Franc and the rare Grolleau.

Their newest second label “La Cueillette des Oiseaux is a tip of the hat to Dominique’s mentor who used to say “The best harvest is the bird’s harvest”

The Wines

Le Fief Noir Echappe

L'Échappée

100% chenin blanc blend from 2 vineyard sites (Bonne Blanches and Les Bouillons) from 25-35 year old vines planted to the local black schist. A few days before harvest, green harvest is conducted which reduces yield 5%. Manual harvest into 12 kg crates. Direct press juice is vinified in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts. Six months aging in tank with lees with weekly stirring.
Le Fief Noir Ame de Fond front

L'Âme de Fond

100% chenin blanc from 45 year old, North facing, single vineyard ‘le Cartelles’ containing the local black schist with sandy, stony top soils. Two passes are made to select the most perfectly ripe grapes. Harvest is conducted by hand into 12kg crates to avoid crushing berries, and all botrytised fruit is eliminated. Direct press, followed by natural yeast fermentation and malolactic in tanks. The wine is then aged for 12 months, ⅔ in barrels, and ⅓ in jars.
Bonnes Blanches front

Bonnes Blanches

100% chenin blanc from 45 year old, Single vineyard ‘Bonnes Blanches’ containing the local clay and quartz stones over pure schist soils at a cooler north-facing exposure. Harvest is conducted by hand into 12kg crates to avoid crushing berries, and all botrytised fruit is eliminated. 12 hours of maceration before pressing, followed by natural yeast fermentation and malolactic in tanks. The wine is then aged on lees for 12 months in stoneware amphorae. Un-fined.
Le Fief Noir Cocagne

Cocagne

100% grolleau from 30 year old vines planted to the local black schist. A few days before harvest a selection is made to reduce yield by 10%. Manual harvest into 12 kg crates. A short maceration and fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Free run juice only is then moved to concrete tanks for six months’ aging.
Le Fief Noir Sonnambule

Somnambule

90% cabernet franc, 10% grolleau from 30 year old vines planted to the local black schist. A few days before harvest, green harvest is conducted which reduced yield 10%. Manual harvest into 12 kg crates. 70% de-stemmed clusters, maceration for 15 days followed by natural yeast fermentation in concrete vats. 30% aged in 2-4 year old barrels, and 70% in vats for six months.

Contact

100% Chenin blanc Orange wine from 40 year old vines planted to the local clay-loam over black schist. Manual harvest after pre-harvest selection. Whole berry cluster maceration for 2 weeks. Fermentation in steel tank achieving full malo. Rests 6 months in amphora. Unfiltered, unfined.

Révolution

100% Pineau d’Aunis. Blend of 70+ old vines and 5yr old plantings in shist and sandy loam soils. Manual harvest. Vinified 6 months amphora only. Extremely limited production.

Le Rêveur

50% cabernet franc and 50% cabernet sauvignon from 35 year old vines planted to the local black schist. A few days before harvest, green harvest is conducted to eliminate all but the healthiest bunches. Harvest is conducted by hand into 12kg crates to avoid crushing berries, and all botrytised fruit is eliminated. One month maceration and fermentation with natural yeasts in tank. Aging for 12 months, ⅔ in barrel, ⅓ in jars.
Cueillette Gamay front

La Cueillette des Oiseaux - Gamay

100% Gamay from 45 year old vines planted to the local sand and black schist. A few days before harvest, green harvest is conducted to eliminate all but the healthiest bunches. Harvest is conducted by hand into 12kg crates to avoid crushing berries. Whole bunch maceration for 7 days. Pressed and natural yeast fermentation. Aged 6 months in concrete tank,
Cueillette Pineau Aunis front

La Cueillette des Oiseaux - Pineau d'Aunis

100% Pineau d’Aunis from 40 year old vines planted to the local sand and black schist. Rows are tilled which is ideal terroir management for the deep roots of the vines. A few days before harvest, green harvest is conducted to eliminate all but the healthiest bunches if necessary. Harvest is conducted by hand into 12kg crates to avoid crushing berries. Whole bunch maceration for 7 days. Pressed and natural yeast fermentation. Aged 6 months in concrete tank,