2020 Louis Métaireau Grand Mouton Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie

The vines are tended organically, and everything is harvested by hand — a rarity in this region, where 98% of all grapes are machine-harvested, and conventional farming with chemicals is the norm. Petit Mouton, from the younger vines, is very mineral and precise. Black Label, from slightly older vines, is the most classic example of the terroir in the lineup, with more depth. Grand Mouton is harvested later than the Black Label and has richness to pair with the minerality. Cuvée One, from the parcel planted in 1937, shows amazing depth and complexity, and is capable of long aging.

"The first scents are floral in character, accompanied by a touch of ripe pear, honey and verbena, but aeration reveals both salty and iodine notes. On the palate, the 2020 Cuvée One is a structured, tense and ethereal Muscadet with bright acidity and a fresh, delicate finish. It's approachable now but also built to evolve gracefully over the next three to five years, (WA, 90 points)".