Domaine de la Combe Vieilles Vignes Muscadet Sevre & Maine Sur Lie 2018
The vineyard lies in Saint-Fiâcre on one of the Nantais' best sites. Here the soils are layered with orthogneiss, a cracked, mineral-rich rock through which the vine roots weave and nourish the vine. This 'Vieilles Vignes' (Old Vines) cuvée is made from Nelly Marzellau's oldest, 45-year-old vines - a rarity for Muscadet where most are dug up after 40 years. Made traditionally at this small estate, the grapes were hand-picked, lightly pressed to keep all the delicacy and purity of flavour, and fermented at cool temperatures to preserve aromas. The older vine wines need longer on their fine lees - five months in fact - and so are not bottled until a year after harvest in October.
Flinty, lightly mineral with appley fruit and real texture and interest. The old vine fruit adds amazing depth and mineral complexity to this fresh, savoury wine that has so much more to it than you might expect from Muscadet.
Muscadet Sevre et Maine is a true French classic and makes a perfect match for fish and shellfish.
