2022 Domaine de la Pépière "Les Gras Moutons" and, of course, More Muscadet!
The Domaine de la Pépière Muscadet "Les Gras Moutons" is one of the most versatile and crowd-pleasing of all Muscadet! It's especially delicious in the 2022 vintage as the slightly lower acidity makes it immediately ready to drink. It's a glass full of Muscadet pleasure that will accompany just about anything - stock up!
"Les Gras Moutons" is a great parcel on gneiss, in layers that permit a deep penetration by the vines, with sandy clay and amphibolite stones. The vines are at the top of a hill and on the south facing slope overlooking the Maine. (The name, by the way, does not refer to fat sheep, despite their presence on the label, but rather in local dialect, to the hilltop vineyard site.) This terroir produces lovely, classic Muscadet to drink young or after short-term cellaring. The 2022 shows a bright very pale gold color. The nose is subtle but complex with a lovely melange of peach, pear, melon, lemon verbena, dried herbs and wet stone. The palate is marked by a nice bitter minerality underlying white fruits and citrus flavors. The finish is pure, clean and refreshing, perfectly balanced at 12% alcohol. This is a lovely Muscadet to enjoy with shellfish, fish and chips, fish in sauce and white meats over the next 3 to 5 years. Try to save a few - we're drinking the last of our 2018s which are fantastic...!
And while we're on the subject...
Fred Lallier at Domaine Bregeon in Gorges has converted this great estate to organic farming, honoring the distinctive gabbro terroir. This full-bodied and very complex 2022 Muscadet is drinking beautifully now - it will benefit from decanting or a few years in the cellar.
Domaine Luneau-Papin
The Luneau-Papin "Excelsior" is one of the most elegant and age-worthy Muscadet - made from vines planted in 1936 in the village of La Chapelle-Heulin, massale selection (no clones). Mother rock of schist and micaschist in «La Plécisière». Fermentation and maturation on the lees in underground glass lined vats for twenty months. The 2020 shows subtle, complex aromas of citrus, lime-flower, melon, pear, mint, almond and stone. The palate is silky, crystalline and dense - just a beautiful wine.
Another of our favorite Muscadet is the Luneau-Papin "Cuvée Terre de Pierre" A.O.P Muscadet Sèvre & Maine La Butte de la Roche. First made in 2008 on this great Nantais terroir made up of peridotite on a steep hill of weathered serpentinite. This parcel has two aspects – one facing the rising sun the other the setting sun – and an incredible viewpoint with views from the western slope over the Marais de Goulaine and the city of Nantes. This is always one of the most saline and vibrant Muscadets and it ages beautifully for ten to fifteen years.
