Parentiere 2020 Muscadet Sevre et Maine Vieilles Vignes

Michel and Guilhaume Ménager produce this lovely Musacdet on their tiny estate near Vallet, which they have tended organically for more than 40 years. The sub-soil is gabbro, a type of basalt, that gives a unique aromatic quality to the wine, quite different from wines produced on the normal granite or gneiss/schiste soils of Muscadet. The Ménagers have always harvested by hand and never chaptalize, producing wines that are light, refreshing and very "mineral" in character. The 2020 shows complex aromas typical of the gabbro terroir - stone, petrol, white fruits, white flowers, almond, a bit Riesling-esque perhaps as both grapes had a common parent, the 'Gouais Blanc. The palate is dense and sapid, even though the alcohol is only 12.3%, with stone, pear, almond and flinty notes.  This is a beautiful Muscadet to enjoy with shellfish, seafood, poultry and mild cheeses. Bravo to the Ménagers for producing this delightful wine at such a low cost!