Vinopolis Newsletter 9-20-24

France
 

“Pierre Luneau-Papin: This estate in Le Landreau, now run by Pierre-Marie Luneau and his wife, Marie, produces arguably the most ambitious and complex wines in the region, all from organically farmed vines.” –Jon Bonne (author of The New French Wine), Punch Drink
 
“For nine generations, the Luneau and Papin families have been dedicated to producing quality wine. Monique and Pierre Luneau have passed the torch to their son, Pierre-Marie, and daughter-in-law, Marie, who now manage the estate. Certified organic and biodynamic, the estate is now a benchmark in the appellation. The duo’s passion, combined with an “haute-couture” approach to viticulture, makes their estate an exciting and noteworthy contender.” –Wine Advocate
 
Domaine Pierre Luneau-Papin Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie La Grange Vieilles Vignes, Loire, France 2022 750ml $21.90 special, 33 bottles available
Yohan Castaing-Wine Advocate 90 Points “The 2022 La Grange is made from grapes grown on schist and mica-schist soils. It has a delightful bouquet of lemon oil, menthol and white fruits, followed by a medium-bodied and juicy texture with bright acids and an energetic, tense and mouthwatering finish. This classic Muscadet could evolve beautifully over the next two to four years.”
 
Domaine Pierre Luneau-Papin Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie Clos des Allees Vieilles Vignes, Loire, France 2022 750ml $33 special, 12 bottles available
Importer Note “From Luneau Papin’s monopole, the Clos de l’Allée has a pale straw hue with aromas that delicately dance between salt and citrus. The palate is intricately laced with jasmine, orange blossom, lemon zest, pear sorbet, beach pebbles, and subtle spice. This storied plot was last planted in 1974. This Clos is adjacent to their winery and is the historical cradle of the Luneau family.”
 
Domaine Pierre Luneau-Papin Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie ‘Le L d’Or’, Loire, France 2022 750ml $33 special, 12 bottles available
Importer Note “Biodynamic estate vineyard -Vines planted in 1984. Mother rock of granite and gneiss with two micas of the Armoricain Massif. This plot is one of the historical treasures of the Luneau family. It rises up between two villages and has a river running through it.”
 
Domaine Pierre Luneau-Papin Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie Semper Excelsior, Loire, France 2021 750ml $49 special, 12 bottles available
(Not reviewed yet, 2020 vintage presented for reference)
Yohan Castaing-Wine Advocate 91+ Points (2020) “The 2020 Excelsior was crafted from vines planted in 1936 with a massal selection on schist and mica-schist soils. Evoking aromas of herbs, smoke, lemon oil and pear, it’s fleshy and tense with excellent concentration, schist structuring extract and a long, saline finish. This well-made, forward, balanced wine will drink well right out of the gate and over the next decade.”
 

 

“These wines are the essence of “Chablis”, but not in a pop-and-pour with oysters kind of way. They are wines to savor and let unfold slowly in the glass or decanter.” –Polaner Selections
 
“Domaine Pattes Loup is one of the most exciting estates to emerge from Chablis in recent years. Thomas Pico started his tiny estate in Courgis in 2005, just outside of the village of Chablis, under the wings of his friends and fellow organic Chablisiens, Alice and Olivier de Moor. He inherited 2.4 hectares of vines from his family’s estate, which historically produced correct, but uninspiring wines. Motivated to take a qualitative leap in a new direction, and against the wishes of his father, Thomas immediately began a program of strict yield control and a conversion to organic viticulture. This is a rarity in Chablis and a feat of extreme diligence in this often inhospitable vinegrowing region.” -Skurnik Wines
 
Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Vaillons, Chablis Premier Cru, France 2019 750ml $79 special, 15 bottles available
(Not reviewed, 2018 vintage provided for reference)
Willliam Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 Points (2018) “Pico produces his 2018 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons from certified organic fruit in the climat of Séchet. Unwinding in the glass with notes of crisp green orchard fruit, almond paste, white flowers and orange oil, it’s medium to full-bodied, satiny and incisive, with an ample core of fruit, chalky structuring extract and a long, saline finish.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 91 Points (2018) “The 2018 Chablis Vaillons 1er Cru, which is Pico’s only cuvée from purchased grapes, is raised in barrel and vat, and bottled a little earlier, after 21 months. It has an attractive bouquet of lemon curd, patisserie and touches of chai tea, the mineralité surfacing after 10 minutes in the glass. The rather straightforward palate is well balanced with lime and orange zest on the entry and subtle bitterness developing toward the finish. Very fine.”

Lowest Price in the USA
Average Price $99

 

 
Hebrart Coteaux Champenois Blanc, Champagne, France 2016 750ml $219 special, 2 bottles available
Vinopolnote “Ultra Rare! A still, 1er Cru, 100% Chardonnay wine from one of Champagnes coolest producers.”

Only Listing in the USA

 

 
Domaine Louis Michel & Fils Grenouilles, Chablis Grand Cru, France 2021 750ml $113 special, 8 bottles available
Decanter 95 Points “The vines for Louis Michel’s Grenouilles are from a rocky, sunnier site higher up on the slope. The vines here always benefit from a gentle breeze, adding to the concentration coming from these 70-75 year-old vines. A very long, elegant and profound expression of Grenouilles. This has a fine balance between sweetness of ripe fruit and spice notes to finish.”

Domaine Louis Michel & Fils Vaudesir, Chablis Grand Cru, France 2021 750ml $108 special, 14 bottles available
John Gilman-View From The Cellar 95 Points “Domaine Michel’s parcels in Vaudésir actually have a northerly exposition and are nicely sheltered, so they were spared much of the frost damage and the yields here were only off by about ten percent in 2021. The wine has turned out splendidly, offering up a bright and complex bouquet of lemon, apple, dried flowers, a marvelously complex base of minerality, incipient notes of beeswax and a nice touch of orange peel in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, full[1]bodied and very precise, with a great core of fruit, racy acids, superb mineral drive and a long, complex and impeccably balanced finish. This is going to be outstanding.”