Domaine Pierre Luneau-Papin Nantes, Loire Valley

When melon du bourgogne is grown and vinified by dedicated vignerons it can produce a special and compelling wine. We have too often been exposed to ordinary or even insipid examples of Muscadet. As was written in a recent Decanter article... "Serious Muscadet exists; it is pale, racy, and dry. Its appeal is its delicacy and the steely vigour it expresses within that context." Pierre Luneau studied with the renowned Émile Peynaud and Ribereau-Gayon. Luneau's winery is as high tech and hygienic as any in Napa. He ferments clos by clos and offers a range of distinctive high quality Muscadets.

Muscadet Sèvres & Maine sur lie "Les Pierres Blanches" 2007 Fifty year old southwest facing vines grow on mica, schist, and gneiss. 2007 was a very good Muscadet vintage, yielding plenty of ripe fruit with good acids. This wine often surprises people who are more used to the overwhelming blandness of many Muscadets. To the eye this wine seems to glow from within and the palate is a rich and inviting mix of ripe melon and crisp apple. The impact of the soil is abundantly clear, imparting a particular mineral character to its structure. Perhaps with the exception of Champagne you will be hard pressed to find anything better to accompany oysters. Its purity of flavour, fine weight and freshness also make it a superb aperitif.

All wines are available by the unmixed case to Licensees and Private Consumers, subject to availability.

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