Nicolas Carmarans — Steven Graf Wine

Nicolas Carmarans
Izagues

For a long time, Nicolas ran a natural wine bar in Paris. From 2002 to 2007 he dabbled in winemaking in the same appellation where his great-grandfather made wine. Then, after purchasing his prized "Le Mauvais Temps" site, he was all in. He's worked tirelessly to restore the natural terroir of this beautiful site, surrounded by forests and all the biodiversity responsible for the unique character of his unique wines. Never any chemicals or pesticide, minimal sulphur, and truly authentic.

There are some bottles we wait for all year, and there's no better example than a wine like Fer de Sang, iron from blood, a completely peerless wine. These are grapes from a vineyard in Marcillac that Nicolas has been working with for years. It's a vineyard of clay (hence the iron) that makes for the most powerful and expressive wine in Carmaran's lineup. Its’ counterpart, Maximus, comes from granite, and the difference makes the case for the importance of terroir. Far lighter, sharper, full of its own idiosyncrasies. Another white wine as well, Entre les Eaux, a blend of Nicolas's Chenin and Aligoté from Burgundy.

2022

Vdf "Minimus" 2022
**VARIETY:** Fer Servadou / Gamay / Jurancon rosé
**TERROIR :** Fer from a a few different parcels of vines grown at a grape varietal conservatory in the commune of Marcillac-Vallon, planted in clay-limestone soils. It's a massal selection of old vines, farmed organically, which Nicolas buys from his cousin. 450 meters up, granitic soil. Organic, Biodynamic
**HARVEST :** hand picked
**VINIFICATION :** Direct pressing in an old Burgundian vertical press, then fermentation and maturation in barrels that have seen several wines. Bottled at the estate. Neither fined nor filtered.

IGP Aveyron “Maximus” 2022
**VARIETY:** Fer Servadou
**TERROIR :**
Fer from a a few different parcels of vines grown at a grape varietal conservatory in the commune of Marcillac-Vallon, massal selection of old vines, farmed organically, which Nicolas buys from his cousin. 450 meters up, granitic soil. Organic, Biodynamic
**HARVEST :** hand picked
**VINIFICATION :** Destemmed, gentle pressing, infusion method, 7-14 days, elevage in old barrique. Not fined nor filtered.

Vdf “Maximus de la Pascole”
**VARIETY:** Grenache / Fer Servadou
**TERROIR :** Grenache from Duchene and Fer from Nicolas. Organic, Biodynamic
**HARVEST :** hand picked
**VINIFICATION :**
This is a collab between Nicolas and Bruno Duchene in Banyuls. One week maceration with whole bunches, gentle pressing, blending of free-run and press juices, elevage in old barrique. Not fined or filtered. Limited, only bottled in magnums.

2021

IGP Aveyron “Fer de Sang”
**TERROIR :** Fer Servadou, from 2 parcels of vines grown at a grape varietal conservatory in the commune of Marcillac-Vallon, planted in clay-limestone soils. It's a massal selection of old vines, farmed organically, which Nicolas buys from his cousin.
**HARVEST :** hand picked
**VINIFICATION :** One week maceration with whole bunches, gentle pressing, blending of free-run and press juices, elevage in old barrique. Not fined or filtered.

IGP Aveyron “Mauvais Temps”
**VARIETY:** Fer Servadou
**TERROIR :** Estate Fer de Sang.
The vines are about 30 years old and look over the Selves river on their steep cliff. *Mauvais temps* or bad times is a century old name for this place where it never rains, so you never get a day off! Organic / Biodynamic
**HARVEST :** hand picked
**VINIFICATION :**
One week maceration with whole bunches, gentle pressing, blending of free-run and press juices, and elevage in old barrique.

IGP Aveyron “Maximus”
**VARIETY:** Fer Servadou
**TERROIR :**
Fer from a single parcel of vines grown at a grape varietal conservatory in the commune of Marcillac-Vallon, planted in clay-limestone soils. It's a massal selection of old vines, farmed organically, which Nicolas buys from his cousin. 450 meters up, granitic soil. Organic, Biodynamic
**HARVEST :** hand picked
**VINIFICATION :** One week maceration with whole bunches, gentle pressing, blending of free-run and press juices, and elevage in old barrique. Not fined nor filtered.

Vdf “Claude”
**TERROIR :** Fer Servadou, old vines.
**HARVEST :** hand picked
**VINIFICATION :** One week maceration with whole bunches, gentle pressing, blending of free-run and press juices, elevage in old barrique. Not fined or filtered.

Vdf “Entre les Eaux”
**VARIETY:** 50% Chenin / 50% Aligoté
**TERROIR :** Chenin from young vines planted in the Aveyron on schist, and Aligoté from grapes bought from a friend of Julien Guillot in Mâcon-Pierreclos, from 40-year-old vines farmed organically and biodynamically.
**HARVEST :** hand picked
**VINIFICATION :**
Nicolas harvests and presses the grapes in Burgundy and then blends the juices at home. Direct pressing in an old Burgundian vertical press, then fermentation and maturation in barrels that have seen several wines. Neither fined nor filtered.

IGP Aveyron “Selves”
**VARIETY:** Chenin Blanc
**TERROIR :** Old vine Chenin Blanc plus some grapes from his newly-planted vineyard on the Selves River slopes that thrives in the cold valley near Campouriez in the Aveyron.
**HARVEST :** hand picked
**VINIFICATION :** Direct pressing in an old Burgundian vertical press, then fermentation and maturation in barrels that have seen several wines. Bottled at the estate. Neither fined nor filtered.

Vdf “Minimus” 2020 VARIETY: Fer Servadou / Gamay / Jurancon roséTERROIR : Grapes from his brother in Gaillac. Organic, BiodynamicHARVEST : hand picked VINIFICATION : Direct pressing in an old Burgundian vertical press, then fermentation and maturation in barrels that have seen several wines. Bottled at the estate. Neither fined nor filtered. — Vdf “Minimus”

**VARIETY:** Fer Servadou / Gamay / Jurancon rosé
**TERROIR :** Grapes from his brother in Gaillac. Organic, Biodynamic
**HARVEST :** hand picked
**VINIFICATION :** Direct pressing in an old Burgundian vertical press, then fermentation and maturation in barrels that have seen several wines. Bottled at the estate. Neither fined nor filtered.

2019

IGP Aveyron “Selves” 2019 VARIETY: Chenin BlancTERROIR : Old vine Chenin Blanc plus some grapes from his newly-planted vineyard on the Selves River slopes that thrives in the cold valley near Campouriez in the Aveyron.HARVEST : hand pic… — IGP Aveyron “Selves” 2019

**VARIETY:** Chenin Blanc
**TERROIR :** Old vine Chenin Blanc plus some grapes from his newly-planted vineyard on the Selves River slopes that thrives in the cold valley near Campouriez in the Aveyron.
**HARVEST :** hand picked
**VINIFICATION :** Direct pressing in an old Burgundian vertical press, then fermentation and maturation in barrels that have seen several wines. Bottled at the estate in June 2020. Neither fined nor filtered, with just 1mg of so2 at bottling.

IGP Aveyron “Selves” 2019 Magnums VARIETY: Chenin BlancTERROIR : Chenin from young vines planted in the Aveyron on schist by the Selves River. Organic, BiodynamicHARVEST : hand pickedVINIFICATION : Direct pressing in an old Burgundian ver… — IGP Aveyron “Selves” 2019 Magnums
**VARIETY:** Chenin Blanc
**TERROIR :** Chenin from young vines planted in the Aveyron on schist by the Selves River.
Organic, Biodynamic
**HARVEST :** hand picked
**VINIFICATION :**
Direct pressing in an old Burgundian vertical press, then fermentation and maturation in barrels that have seen several wines. Bottled at the estate in June 2020. Neither fined nor filtered, with just 1mg of so2 at bottling.

Vdf Aveyron “Entre les Eaux” 2019 VARIETY: 50% Chenin / 50% Aligoté TERROIR : Chenin from young vines planted in the Aveyron on schist, and Aligoté from grapes bought from a friend of Julien Guillot in Mâcon-Pierreclos, from 40-year-old vines … — Vdf Aveyron “Entre les Eaux” 2019
**VARIETY:** 50% Chenin / 50% Aligoté
**TERROIR :** Chenin from young vines planted in the Aveyron on schist, and Aligoté from grapes bought from a friend of Julien Guillot in Mâcon-Pierreclos, from 40-year-old vines farmed biodynamically.
**HARVEST :** hand picked
**VINIFICATION :**
Nicolas harvests and presses the grapes in Burgundy and then blends the juices at home. Direct pressing in an old Burgundian vertical press, then fermentation and maturation in barrels that have seen several wines. Bottled at the estate in June 2020. Neither fined nor filtered, with just 1mg of so2 at bottling.

Vdf Aveyron “Entre les Eaux” 2019 Magnums VARIETY: 50% Chenin / 50% Aligoté TERROIR : Chenin from young vines planted in the Aveyron on schist, and Aligoté from grapes bought from a friend of Julien Guillot in Mâcon-Pierreclos, from 40-year-old… — Vdf Aveyron “Entre les Eaux” 2019 Magnums
**VARIETY:** 50% Chenin / 50% Aligoté
**TERROIR :** Chenin from young vines planted in the Aveyron on schist, and Aligoté from grapes bought from a friend of Julien Guillot in Mâcon-Pierreclos, from 40-year-old vines farmed biodynamically.
**HARVEST :** hand picked
**VINIFICATION :**
Nicolas harvests and presses the grapes in Burgundy and then blends the juices at home. Direct pressing in an old Burgundian vertical press, then fermentation and maturation in barrels that have seen several wines. Bottled at the estate in June 2020. Neither fined nor filtered, with just 1mg of so2 at bottling.

IGP Aveyron “Fer de Sang” 2019 VARIETY: Fer ServadouTERROIR : Fer Servadou, from vines grown at a grape varietal conservatory in the commune of Marcillac-Vallon, planted in clay-limestone soils. It's a massal selection of old vines, farmed org… — IGP Aveyron “Fer de Sang” 2019
**VARIETY:** Fer Servadou
**TERROIR :** Fer Servadou, from vines grown at a grape varietal conservatory in the commune of Marcillac-Vallon, planted in clay-limestone soils. It's a massal selection of old vines, farmed organically, which Nicolas buys from his cousin.
**HARVEST :** hand picked
**VINIFICATION :** One week maceration with whole bunches, gentle pressing, blending of free-run and press juices, and elevage in old barrique. The wine is bottled in June 2020. Not fined or filtered, either. 1mg so2 at bottling.

IGP Aveyron “Fer de Sang” 2019 Magnums VARIETY: Fer ServadouTERROIR : Fer Servadou, from vines grown at a grape varietal conservatory in the commune of Marcillac-Vallon, planted in clay-limestone soils. It's a massal selection of old vines, fa… — IGP Aveyron “Fer de Sang” 2019 Magnums
**VARIETY:** Fer Servadou
**TERROIR :** Fer Servadou, from vines grown at a grape varietal conservatory in the commune of Marcillac-Vallon, planted in clay-limestone soils. It's a massal selection of old vines, farmed organically, which Nicolas buys from his cousin.
Organic, Biodynamic
**HARVEST :** hand picked
**VINIFICATION :** One week maceration with whole bunches, gentle pressing, blending of free-run and press juices, and elevage in old barrique. The wine is bottled in June 2020. Not fined or filtered, either. 1mg so2 at bottling.

IGP Aveyron “Maximus” 2019 VARIETY: Fer ServadouTERROIR :  Fer from a granitic vineyard 450 meters up. Organic, BiodynamicHARVEST : VINIFICATION : One week maceration with whole bunches, gentle pressing, blending of free-run and press juic… — IGP Aveyron “Maximus” 2019
**VARIETY:** Fer Servadou
**TERROIR :**
Fer from a granitic vineyard 450 meters up.
Organic, Biodynamic
**HARVEST :**
**VINIFICATION :** One week maceration with whole bunches, gentle pressing, blending of free-run and press juices, and elevage in old barrique. The wine is bottled in June 2020. Not fined or filtered, either. 1mg so2 at bottling.

IGP Aveyron “Maximus” 2019 Magnums VARIETY: Fer ServadouTERROIR :  Fer from a granitic vineyard 450 meters up. Organic, BiodynamicHARVEST : VINIFICATION : One week maceration with whole bunches, gentle pressing, blending of free-run and pr… — IGP Aveyron “Maximus” 2019 Magnums
**VARIETY:** Fer Servadou
**TERROIR :**
Fer from a granitic vineyard 450 meters up.
Organic, Biodynamic
**HARVEST :**
**VINIFICATION :** One week maceration with whole bunches, gentle pressing, blending of free-run and press juices, and elevage in old barrique. The wine is bottled in June 2020. Not fined or filtered, either. 1mg so2 at bottling.

Vdf “Maximus de la Pascole” Magnum 2019VARIETY: Grenache / Fer Servadou TERROIR : Grenache from Duchene and Fer from Nicolas. Organic, BiodynamicHARVEST : hand picked VINIFICATION : This is a collab between Nicolas and Bruno Duchene in Ba… — Vdf “Maximus de la Pascole” Magnum 2019
**VARIETY:** Grenache / Fer Servadou
**TERROIR :** Grenache from Duchene and Fer from Nicolas. Organic, Biodynamic
**HARVEST :** hand picked
**VINIFICATION :**
This is a collab between Nicolas and Bruno Duchene in Banyuls. One week maceration with whole bunches, gentle pressing, blending of free-run and press juices, and elevage in old barrique. The wine is bottled in June 2020. Not fined or filtered, either. 1mg so2 at bottling. Super limited (150 bottles total production), only bottled in magnums.

Vdf “Minimus” 2019 VARIETY: Fer ServadouTERROIR : Grapes from his brother in Gaillac. Organic, BiodynamicHARVEST : hand picked VINIFICATION : Direct pressing in an old Burgundian vertical press, then fermentation and maturation in barrels that… — Vdf “Minimus” 2019

**VARIETY:** Fer Servadou
**TERROIR :** Grapes from his brother in Gaillac. Organic, Biodynamic
**HARVEST :** hand picked
**VINIFICATION :** Direct pressing in an old Burgundian vertical press, then fermentation and maturation in barrels that have seen several wines. Bottled at the estate in June 2020. Neither fined nor filtered, with just 1mg of so2 at bottling.

Nicolas Carmarans Izagues

2022

2021

2019

Domaine des Buis

Nicolas Carmarans
Izagues