Domaine du Grand Mouton - Louis Métaireau Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie Carte Noire

Domaine du Grand Mouton, Louis Métaireau's Carte Noire, comes from the 23 acre Grand Mouton vineyard, one of the most prized sites in Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine, sitting between the two rivers that give the appellation its name. The vines range from 30 years old up to a parcel planted in 1937, farmed under organic and sustainable practices by Marie-Luce Métaireau and Jean-François Guilbaud, who carry on the work Louis Métaireau began restoring Muscadet's reputation in the mid-20th century, including his signature practice of aging the wine sur lie through the winter. Made from 100% Melon de Bourgogne, the wine opens with beeswax, blossom, and honeyed pear notes on the nose, joined with air by salinity and a seashell character that give it a distinctly maritime edge. On the palate, that salinity and brininess come forward even more, mingling with a lemony, chalky minerality that carries through a long, pure finish. Extended lees aging gives the wine real texture and depth without sacrificing the appellation's signature freshness and high acidity. This is a Muscadet built for the table, especially with oysters and shellfish, but it's equally at home with fish terrines, white meats, and charcuterie. It's a benchmark example of what serious, site-driven Muscadet can be, offering far more complexity and staying power than the simple, everyday image the region is sometimes known for.