Domaine Luneau-Papin Gula-Ana Muscadet Sevre et Maine Goulaine – 2020

The Muscadet wine region, just south of Brittany near the mouth of the Loire and on France’s Atlantic coastline, has a distinctly oceanic influence. Its cool sea breezes and relatively high rainfall produce dry white wines which are light in body and fresh in acidity.

Biodynamic-certified Domaine Luneau Papin is one of the top producers in the region – their wines have an extra level of intensity, purity and minerality to any other Muscadets I have tried. Husband and wife team Pierre-Marie and Marie Luneau Papin pay incredible attention to detail in the vineyard to produce grapes which perfectly express their different hillside terroirs overlooking the Goulaine wetlands and Atlantic Ocean beyond.

“Ripe oranges on the nose and then knee-bucklingly beautiful on the palate. SO complex! Ripe papaya, liquorice-scented tangerines, quinces poached with star anise, fennel bulb, caraway seeds, roasted nigella. I could go on. The kaleidoscopic matrix of this wine is astounding. Thrilling density. Reverberating with energy and tension and tiny humming, strumming, fizzing pixels of flavour that seem to be soaring off the roof of my mouth with their own otherworldly orchestra. This is outstanding!” 18/20pts Jancisrobinson.com