Domaine de la Pépière : Gras Moutons 2024

Tasting notes and recommendations for Gras Moutons 2024 from Domaine de la Pépière

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a pale yellow hue with golden highlights and a subtle greenish tint.

Nose

The nose reveals fine aromatic complexity, with notes of fresh citrus and white flowers. Mineral nuances add an extra dimension to the whole.

Palate

On the palate, this wine charms with its assertive minerality and bright, fruity freshness. Citrus aromas linger, while the texture shows a fine tension typical of gneiss soils. The finish is elegant and persistent.

Food and wine pairings

This Muscadet is an ideal match for seafood, especially oysters and shellfish. It also pairs beautifully with grilled fish or fish in a light sauce, as well as with fresh goat cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

Gras Moutons 2024 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. This wine can be enjoyed now while also offering cellaring potential for several years.

An exceptional biodynamic Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie

The estate

Founded in 1984 by Marc Ollivier, Domaine de la Pépière now spans 42 hectares in the Loire Valley, in Maisdon-sur-Sèvre. Since 2019, Rémi Branger and Gwénaëlle Croix have jointly run the estate. A pioneer in crafting single-parcel cuvées in Muscadet, the estate has practiced certified biodynamics since 2018. It stands out for its non-interventionist approach and entirely hand-harvested grapes, producing wines of remarkable terroir expression that have helped transform the perception of the appellation’s quality.

The vineyard

The Gras Moutons cuvée comes from a named plot located in the commune of Maisdon-sur-Sèvre, within the Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie appellation. The 1.7-hectare vineyard sits on two-mica gneiss soils enriched with amphibolites. Facing due south on a hillside overlooking the Maine, the old vines benefit from optimal conditions to produce concentrated grapes. Vineyard management follows biodynamic principles, favoring manual work and respect for natural cycles.

The vintage

The 2024 vintage was marked by hot, dry weather conditions. The Gras Moutons harvest was carried out by hand in September, allowing for rigorous selection of grapes at optimal ripeness despite the challenges posed by the summer heat.

Vinification and aging

After hand harvesting, the Gras Moutons 2024 grapes are pressed as whole clusters. Fermentation takes place spontaneously thanks to indigenous yeasts. The wine then undergoes extended aging on fine lees for eight to nine months in underground cement tanks or stainless-steel vats. This traditional method enriches the wine’s texture while preserving its signature freshness and minerality. Intervention remains minimal, with no aggressive filtration, in order to respect the terroir’s natural expression.

Grape variety

Melon de bourgogne (100%)