Domaine Nico

Brand Description

 

Domaine Nico is the world's first extreme high-altitude parcela Pinot Noir.    It is an unusual location for the New World with limestone soil of alluvial origin and cool climate and a labor of love for the Catena family.  

The vineyard is named after Laura's daughter, Nicola, whose name pays homage to Nicola Catena, Laura's great-grandfather and founder of the Catena winery in 1902. 

Laura has been in love with Pinot Noir since her first travels to France as a teenager.  A self-avowed francophile, Laura studied French throughout university.  She has a lifelong obsession with authors Sartre and Camus, as well as with the Louvre and the Centre Georges Pompidou, where she has spent countless hours.

With Domaine Nico, Laura borrows from France in the names of the wine parcels and in the concept of individual terroirs, but also plays with the words to give the wines a modern twist that’s reflective of their style. 

Location of Vineyard

With 3,675 to 4,921 feet of elevation, Domaine Nico is the world's first extreme high-altitude parcela Pinot Noir.  Parcels are extremely small and range within the Uco Valley from Villa Bastais to Gualtallary all within the Tupungato region. With Domain Nico, the Uco Valley proves itself to be a new terroir for the highest quality Pinot Noir.

Winemaking and Viticulture Philosophy

Domine Nico grapes are sources from small parcels through 15 different microvinifications.  All mincrovinifications were fermented with indigenous yeasts, some with whole cluster.   The wine ages in French Oak barels with low production across each.  

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Winery Profile
Owner: Laura Catena
Winemaker: Roy Urvieta
Total acreage under vine: 20
Founded: 1902
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Acclaim
“One of a range of brilliant Pinot Noirs from the youthful Roy Urvieta, Grand Mère comes from a two-hectare parcel plamted with 115 and 667 Dijon clones in Villa Bastías. Fermented with 20% whole clusters, it has succulent wild strawberry and pomegranate fruit, graceful tannins and a tangy finish.” — acclaim for 2022 Domaine Nico Grand Mère from Tim Atkin, MW, Jun 2024
“Grand Père only uses the 115 clone and uses material from older vines. The whole bunch component is an assertive 50% here, giving the wine structure and layers of clove and tobacco leaf. Racy, savoury and spicy, it has fine tannins, bright acidity and the faintest hint of oak sweetness.” — acclaim for 2022 Domaine Nico Grand Père from Tim Atkin, MW, Jun 2024
“La Savante is a wonderful expression of Pinot Noir from Roy Urvieta, who knows how to tease the best out of this demanding variety in the high-altitude terroir of Gualtallary. Pairing the 115 and 777 clones, it’s an ethereal, complex, sweetly fruited wine with notes of forest floor and umami and layers of raspberry and red cherry.” — acclaim for 2022 Domaine Nico La Savante from Tim Atkin, MW, Jun 2024
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