2020 Luneau Papin Muscadet ‘La Grange Vieilles Vignes’
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Region: Loire Valley, France
Viticulture: Biodynamic since 2014, certified organic
Winemaker: Pierre and Monique Luneau-Papin
Established: 1700s
From vines planted 1974 grown on mica-schist with a bedrock of schist in the village of Le Landreau. In his immaculate winery, Pierre proceeds to vinify in small batches according to the origin of the fruit. The harvest is done by hand, also a rarity in the region, to avoid any oxidation before pressing. Following a classic Muscadet-sur-lie process, where the wine is kept on its lees for 7 months, with a fair amount of CO2 as protection, until bottling in the spring following the harvest.aged on lees for 7 months.
On the palate the wine is pure and well defined, complex and beautifully focused, with solid mid-palate depth, nice framing acids and very good length on the classy finish.
Sommelier’s Recommendation
This wine delivers crisp acidity and goes well with lighter style foods including oysters, sashimi, prawns and salads. However, it is best defined for it’s clean yet crunchy mouthfeel that the fine lees add due to being aged on lees for 7 months. I really enjoy this wine and it is a true representative of what Muscadet can deliver.
One of the leading domaines of the Nantais, Pierre Luneau-Papin, hails from a long line of vignerons. The Luneau family is well established in the region; their presence here may be traced as far back as the late 17th Century and Pierre Luneau is the thirteenth generation of his family to bear the name Pierre. Pierre and Monique, his wife, are the seventh generation of vignerons to run Domaine Luneau-Papin, which was founded by Pierre’s forebears in the 18th Century.
The family estate now consists of approximately 40ha, with 38ha planted to Melon de Bourgogne located about 20 kilometres from Nantes itself. This is a landscape characterised by gently rolling vineyards and a remarkable variation of terroirs, which include micaschist, gneiss and schist and other rocks of volcanic origin, as well as the sandy soils that first spring to mind when thinking of the region. The vines have a good age, 45 years on average although some are well into their seventh decade. The wines produced at this estate are strikingly pure, with each cuvée expressing its unique soil-signature. They never fail to impress.
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