Excelsior AOP 2020

The Excelsior AOP 2020 is the Muscadet from Domaine Luneau-Papin's oldest plots, vinified dry at 12.0% vol. Its impact comes from texture and minerality rather than upfront fruit. It can hold ten to fifteen years in the cellar.

The grapes grow in the Clos des Noëlles, in the La Plécisière site in the village of La Chapelle-Heulin, on schist and mica schist. The vines were planted in 1936 and rank among the oldest in the entire Nantais. The plots belong to the Cru Communal Goulaine, which has existed since the late 1990s; its name comes from the river that flows through the vineyards and into the Loire.

Pure Melon de Bourgogne, hand-harvested and pressed in a pneumatic press, with the strength and duration of pressing adapted to the vintage. This is followed by spontaneous fermentation with natural yeasts, then fermentation and lees ageing in underground, glass-lined concrete vats for 24 to 36 months.

Intense straw yellow. On the nose, ripe white-fleshed fruit: apple, pear, quince and peach, joined by dried apple, a touch of nutmeg, yeast and bread crust, underscored by a cool note of mint, lichen and wet stone. The entry is deep and powerful, with ripe fruit, almond paste, apple and grapefruit peel. Ripe, vibrant acidity and the finest tannin give the wine its linear structure, underpinned by a lasting stoniness.

With turbot pan-tossed in smoked butter with an almond-sesame crust, with Breton lobster on pea cream and mashed potatoes with saffron beurre blanc, or with zucchini soufflé with baked goat cheese.

Pierre-Marie and Marie Luneau farm nearly 30 hectares: organic since 2008, biodynamic since 2014, Demeter- and Biodyvin-certified since 2019. The Demeter logo appears on the label.