2007 - A Classic Vintage for Muscadet!

2/3/2008 -

(Marc Olivier)

Recent tastings, with Marc Ollivier at Domain de la Pepiere and Pierre Luneau-Papin, show a vintage of crisp, balanced wines with bright acidity, lovely subtle fruit and great finishing minerality. Older wines once again demonstated the great ageability of these outstanding wines, with the 1996 Clos des Briords (from Pepiere) and the 1995 Luneau-Papin being particularly outstanding!

In 2007, yields were very low due to mildew attacking the grapes in mid-summer, but beautiful weather from mid-August through September brought a harvest of good richness with the perfect balancing acidity that is typical of great Muscadet. Marc Ollivier's Granit de Clisson, which he did not produce in 2006, will be wonderful in '07, with yields of only about 25 Hl/Ha (very low!) giving great ripeness with complex minerality.  Luneau-Papin's wines were remarkably elegant with the Pierres Blanches Vieilles Vignes and the Clos des Noelles being particularly outstanding in 2007, with subtle aromas of lemon confit, herbs and wet stone. The 2002 Clos des Noelles, a "grand cru", which spends 30 months on the lees for added richness, is now showing beautifully and those who have not tried this exceptional wine should grab a few before it disappears!