Great New Arrivals from Muscadet and Gigondas!
We’re very happy to have just received new shipments from two wonderful estates, in Muscadet and Gigondas, both of which have been in organic farming for generations – of course this brings great character and terroir expression to the wines. Also just arrived is a new vintage of a superb Muscadet from Jo Landron (pictured above with Jocelyne Landron), the 2021 “Les Houx,” also a product of great organic and biodynamic agriculture.
Domaine de la Parentière has been organic for three generations, finally receiving organic certification in 1984. Michel Menager and his son Guilhaume are proud of their work - organic in the vineyard, harvesting by hand and fermentations with wild yeasts, and never chaptalizing. They have 5 hectares of old vines in Vallet on "gabbro" terroir - a unique basalt-type stone that gives a distinctive and unique flavor to the wines (as found in Gorges at Domaine Bregeon and Domaine de la Pepiere). Their wines are always low in alcohol, ranging from 10 to 12.5% and possess a wonderful purity and bright refreshing acidity. Their Gros Plant, called "Fraicheur Iodée de Loire," is light and lovely at 10% alcohol - it's a refreshing quaffer and a great accompaniment to shellfish and seafood or as an aperitif. The Muscadet Sevre et Maine Vieilles Vignes (from vines averaging 50 years of age) has subtle white fruit and herbal aromas with hints of melon and stone typical of Muscadet on Gabbro. Fairly light at 12.5%, with refreshing saline minerals, it deepens nicely over a few days open - it's a serious Muscadet and a fabulous value. We're very happy to have the Menagers' wines back at Chambers Street. Don't be alarmed by the low prices - these are fantastic farmer wines with incredible prices for the quality!
The living soils at Clos du Joncuas produce wines of great character, and we are happy to have another shipment arriving this week, featuring the 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2022 Gigondas, the 2023 Seguret Blanc, 2020 Seguret Rouge, 2022 Vacqueyras, and their complex and elegant 2023 Gigondas Rosé! Clos du Joncuas, founded in 1920 by Pierre Auguste Chastan, has farmed with organic methods from the very beginning (depuis toujours) and has been officially organic since 1980. Currently run by sisters Dany and Carole Chastan, the estate's Gigondas vines are on slopes below the Dentelles de Montmirail, on soils of clay with dolomite and gypsum over the limestone of the Dentelles, and average 40 to 90 years old. Vinifications here are entirely old-school; whole-clusters fermented with wild yeasts in cement and aged in old barrels. The 2016 Gigondas has softened and matured beautifully, the 2019 is simply superb, and the 2020 and 2022 can be enjoyed now or cellared for 20 years.
The Chastans make a great Gigondas Rosé – The 2023 shows a pretty bright pink color, aromas of raspberry, tart cherry, blood orange, peach skin and rose, with a full palate with silky raspberry, peach, citrus and mineral flavors and firm acidity, beautifully balanced and refreshing. Long finish with tart cherry, peach, earth, and citrusy acids. This gorgeous rosé is still young and should open up nicely over the next two to three years. Special low price of $19.99!
Jo Landron 2021 Muscadet sevre et Maine "Les Houx"
For more than thirty years we have had the great pleasure of working with Jo Landron of the Domaine de la Louvetrie (now simply known as Domaines Landron) and of course enjoying his superb Muscadets on a regular basis. Jo is one of the heroes of Loire Valley viticulture and has been a leader in the resurgence of quality in Muscadet by his example of converting to organic agriculture, hand-harvesting, wild yeast fermentations and terroir specific, single-vineyard bottlings. His great work and engaging personality have been an inspiration to the region and have helped lead the way to the new Cru Communal classifications, finally bringing recognition to the potential of Muscadet.
"Les Houx" (formerly known as "Hermine D'Or") is from a great parcel of thin sandy clay soils, rich with silica, quartz and iron, over a bedrock of gneiss and clay, close to the "Fief du Breil." Kept on the lees for 12 months – and for the first time aged partially in amphora. 2021 is an excellent vintage for "Les Houx" with the low yields and high acidity giving a vibrant mineral character to the wine. Here's a review from Loire expert Chris Kissack "pure and smoky on the nose, with seams of crushed rocks and minerals. This is followed by a linear and delicately bitter palate, with layers of salty and herby fruit, and fine acidity. A confident finish completes the picture. This is good; give it a year or two in bottle to see it at its best."
2019 Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sevre et Maine "Château Thebaud"
If there are any Muscadet lovers, or just plain lovers of great, mineral, complex and age-worthy white wines out there who don’t have this wine – BUY IT NOW, BEFORE ITS GONE! You will thank us in ten or fifteen or twenty years…
