Clos Saint Vincent is a Biodynamic estate in Saint Roman de Bellet in the Provence region of south east coastal France near the border with Italy. Wines are produced under the Bellet AOC.

Owner: Joseph Sergi (06.21.08.28.33)–see below for more on him.

Background: The estate was created in the 1960s and was owned by M Gomez, then by a notary before being acquired in spring 1993 by Roland Sicardi, a retired restaurateur. He extended the then 2ha vineyard by acquiring plots at la Tour and then at Collet de Fricon. Within ten years Clos St Vincent comprised 6ha (of which 5ha of vines).

Vineyards: In 2012 there were around 7ha of vines: 2.5ha of Rolle, 1ha Bracquet, 2ha Folle Noire (including 0.5ha of young vines) and 1ha Grenache Noir. The vines lie on all of Bellet’s main soil types: poudingue, conglomérat de sables, argiles and galets roulés. Sicardi’s son-in-law Joseph Sergi, son of a horticulturist, now manages the estate. The vines are on narrow terraces. 2,700 hours sunshine annually.

Biodynamics: On 27th March 2013 I was told by phone they buy their preps from Matthieu Bouchet. The dynamiser holds 300-litres and is made of clay-lime mortar. The main plants used as teas/decoctions are Equisetum arvense and stinging nettle. Animal manure-based compost is used (ewes, cow). Lunar cycles are followed.

Certification: 2007 Agence Bio Date d’engagement: 05th April 2007. | 2006 6ha (C1) Ecocert. 2010 6ha (BD for the first time) Ecocert/SIVCBD. 2013 6ha (BD) SIVCBD.

Production: Around 12,000 bottles a year.

White wines

Bellet Blanc, Le Clos Blanc: Rolle. Skin contact, pressing, settling. Barrel fermented and aged in wood 12-15 months. | 2012 MLF. Very, very good at Millésime Bio 2014.

Bellet Blanc, Vino di Gio: From the oldest Rolle vines. | 2012 BF in new 500 litre barrels of 500 litres. MLF. Very good again, Burgundian (Mill Bio 2014).

Pink wines

Bellet Rosé AOC, Le Clos Rosé: Braquet. Maceration followed by bleeding. | 2013 Nice, rich, soft and has a mid-palate, which is rare for Provence Rosé (Mill Bio 2014).

Bellet Rouge AOC, Le Clos Rouge: c85% Folle Noire, 15% Grenache Noir. Destemmed, aged in wood for 15-18 months. | 2011 Good if a bit sappy (Millésime Bio 2014).

Bellet Rouge AOC, Vino di Gio: From the oldest Folle Noire vines.

Other products: Marc from distilled Rolle. Olives and AOC Nice olive oil.

Contact

Clos Saint Vincent

Collet des Fourniers

St Roman de Bellet

F-06200 Nice (Alpes-Maritimes), France

Tel+33 (0)4.92.15.12.69 | Website: www.clos-st-vincent.fr

Agence Bio 2015: SCEA Clos St Vincent

Millésime Bio 2016: Clos St Vincent