Description
Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie Château de la Gravelle 2021
Château de la Gravelle, Muscadet, Saint-Fiacre-sur-Maine, Nantes
“Owned by Véronique Günther-Chéreau, Château La Gravelle in the commune of Gorges, produces wines that are fresh and mineral. The quality has been progressive especially since the start of the conversion to organic viticulture in 2010.” La Revue du Vin de France
Bernard Chéreau, the son of a vigneron, strove to produce quality, terroir-influenced Muscadet in an era when the majority of his competitors were pursuing bulk, mass-market production. In 1973, he had the opportunity to purchase Château de Coing and set to achieve his goal. His daughter, Véronique Günther-Chéreau, followed in his footsteps and now owns 70ha of prime Muscadet terroirs, spread over 3 very distinct properties. Intimate knowledge of her terroirs and the vines therein provide Véronique, and latterly her daughter Aurore, with the ability to truly understand the precise characteristics of each of their distinct vineyard parcels. One of these 3 properties, situated on a hill in the commune of Gorges in the heart of Muscadet, is the 17ha Château de la Gravelle; organically run, it boasts an unusual terroir, as its subsoil is composed of volcanic rock overlain by a layer of clay some 40cm thick. A windmill sits atop the highest point of the vineyard. A strong citrus character and defined minerality are the resulting hallmarks. Meticulously tended by Véronique, the 65-year-old vines at Château de la Gravelle yield a wine of classic Muscadet styling. Lees ageing (sur lie), from the end of the fermentation until late March, brings a subtle richness to the mid palate. Not racked, the wine retails a natural ‘prickle’ of CO2 – part of the innate appeal of the finest sur lie Muscadet wines.
Unusual for the region, Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie Château de la Gravelle comes from vines planted on volcanic rock called gabbro, which gives the wine a unique personality, elegance and fragrance. Charming aromas of toasted almonds, ripe pears, straw, honey and apple blossom delight the senses. Bursting with juicy lemons on the palate with a beautiful refreshing acidity, this wine is a serious pleasure to drink.
Grape: Melon de Bourgogne or Muscadet
Organic
