LUNEAU-PAPIN
One of my favorite Muscadet producers. Certified organic, biodynamic certification in progress or already certified.
2020 Gros Plant du Pays Nantais sur Lie
From grapes planted in 1974 on sandy soils with schist underneath, this wine is meant to be a refreshing quaffer. It is light and mineral and shows some richness. Screw cap closure. Certified organic, biodynamic certification in progress. 86/B+
2020 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie Clos du Milieu
Light, intense, wiry, mineral, penetrating, nervy. Certified organic, biodynamic certification in process. 12.5% stated alcohol. DIAM 3 closure. 92/A
2020 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie La Grange vieilles vignes
From vines planted in 1974 on schist and micaschist soils, this wine is medium-light, smooth, mineral, and elegant — a good classic Muscadet. Certified organic, biodynamic certification in progress. 87/B+
2020 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie Le Verger
This wine is light and pure with good breadth; this is a richer wine than the previous. From vines planted in 1998 on schist soils. Certified organic, biodynamic certification in progress. 90/A
2020 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie Vera Cruz
Maybe still richer with a smooth texture, purity, and length. Vera Cruz is the name of the vineyard, supposedly named by a sailor who was stranded there. The vines date to 1974. Certified organic, biodynamic certification in progress. 89/A-
2020 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie L d’Or Granite
This nose is fresh, salty, and long. The mouth is light, energetic, pure, and salty. A beautiful Muscadet. This wine is certified both organic and biodynamic. 91/A
2020 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie Terre de Pierre La Butte de la Roche
The Terre de Pierre shows more richness, yet also retains its lightness and elegance. Very good energy here. Vines planted in 1974. Certified organic and biodynamic. 91/A
2018 Goulaine L’Excelsior
Goulaine is the name of the vineyard, and it now bears the appellation in the attempt of Muscadet producers to form a cru hierarchy. From a more challenging vintage than the 2020s above, this wine is rich for a Muscadet, smooth, and has some minerality. The vineyard here was planted in 1936. Certified organic, biodynamic certification in progress. 90/A
2017 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie Gula Ana La Butte de la Roche - Le Dôme
Nervoisity, purity, minerality — what more can you ask of a Muscadet? From vines planted in 1974. Certified organic, biodynamic certification in progress. 92/A
MÉNAUD-GABORIT
2020 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie Les Mauguitonnières
This wine is relatively rich for a Muscadet, and it has enlivening acidity to go with lemon and apple flavors and good length. A new discovery for me. Agglomerate cork closure. 12% stated alcohol. 90/A
Domaine de la PEPIÈRE
Maybe the leading Muscadet estate.
2020 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie
Even with this entry-level wine, great results in this great vintage. The wine is light with a silky texture, underlying enlivening acidity, finesse, lemon fruit with a hint of pineapple(!), and good length. Certified organic and biodynamic. DIAM 1 closure. 12% stated alcohol. Lot L 1208. 91/A
2020 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie Briords cuvée vieilles vignes
I can’t recall ever having had a Muscadet of this level of quality. The wine is light, silky, pure, with lemony minerality and exquisite precision and finesse. Is there anything more that could be added? DIAM 5 closure. 12% stated alcohol. Lot L 2208. 94/A+
TOURLAUDIÈRE/CATORPÉE - Romain PETITEAU
2020 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie
An exception that proves that not all 2020 Muscadet are worthy of attention. This wine has quite a bit of yellow in the color for a young Muscadet, is apply in the nose and mouth and low in acidity. Something went wrong here? Agglomerate cork closure. Lot L 01. 12.5% stated alcohol. 84/D
VIN ANCENIS NORD LOIRE
2020 Muscadet des Coteaux de la Loire Scynclinal d'Ancenis
The appellation is for wines from the Melon de Bourgogne grape, the classic Muscadet grape, along the banks of the Loire River northeast of Nantes. The wine is light, crisp, and nervy with clarity, minerality, and a slight herbalness. DIAM 1 closure. 12% stated alcohol. Lot L 210316. 88/B+