2017 Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sevre et Maine Chateau-Thebaud

While Domaine de la Pépière are quiet achievers, fine wine devotees agree they are one of the greatest estates in the Loire Valley. Their reputation comes from the vibrancy and density of the wines which reflect their terroir of mostly decomposed Granite, Gabbro and Gniess. There are 28 hectares of vines with 8 hectares planted on the granite of Clisson in the more southerly part of the appellation, another 12 hectares further north on the granite of Château Thébaud, both of which contain veins of metamorphic gneiss with amphibolite stones.

The Domaine de la Pépière Château Thébaud comes from old vines in a beautiful vineyard sloping down towards the river Maine. The granite here (granite de Château-Thébaud) is fissured and permeable by the vine roots which have access to water during dry spells and absorb micro-nutrients along the way. The grapes are hand harvested, fed into the press by gravity and undergo a one to two month fermentation with wild yeasts. The wine ages "sur-lie" for 30 months with regular battonage, contributing to the complex aromatics and richness of the wine.

Other Reviews....
The 2017 Château Thébaud has spent three and a half years building the mid palate to an elegant yet silken core. It is a quiet wine that is rather meditative and caresses the palate with its delicate yet creamy texture. The finish offers satisfying grip and a fine powdery veil of texture. This is a really gorgeous Muscadet that is precise and draws through to a lengthy finish. Drink 2022 - 2034.
94 points
Rebecca Gibb MW - Vinous