Muscadet with real breadth, depth and complexity.
Production
The vineyard lies in Saint-Fiâcre on one of the Nantais' best sites. Here the soils are layered with orthogneiss, a cracked, mineral-rich rock through which the vine roots weave and nourish the vine. This 'Vieilles Vignes' (Old Vines) cuvée is made from Nelly Marzellau's oldest, 45 year old vines - a rarity for Muscadet where most are dug up after 40 years. Made traditionally at this small estate, the grapes were hand-picked, lightly pressed to keep all the delicacy and purity of flavour, and fermented at cool temperatures to preserve aromas. The older vine wines need longer on their fine lees - five months in fact - and so are not bottled until a year after harvest in October.
Domaine de la Combe Vieilles Vignes, Muscadet Sèvre & Maine 2022(6 bottles case)
Vivino ratings
Tasting notes
Surprisingly rich on the nose. Flinty, lightly mineral with yellow appley fruit and real texture and interest on the palate. The old vine fruit adds amazing depth and mineral complexity to this fresh, savoury wine that has so much more to it than you might expect from Muscadet.
Food match
Muscadet Sevre et Maine is a true French classic and makes a perfect match for fish and shellfish.
Info
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ABV
12%
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CASE/BOTTLE SIZE
6 x 75cl
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REGION/COUNTRY
LOIRE, FRANCE
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GRAPE
MELON DE BOURGOGNE 100%
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FEATURES
VEGETARIAN, VEGAN, SUSTAINABLE
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CLOSURE
CORK
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WINEMAKER
PIERRE-HENRI GADAIS
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APPELLATION
MUSCADET SÈVRE ET MAINE
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ALLERGEN INFO
CONTAINS SULPHITES AND NO OTHER ALLERGENS
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Meet the producer
Domaine de la Combe (formerly Domaine les Grands Presbytères) in the village of Saint-Fiâcre, is nestled in the cradle of the Muscadet appellation between the two rivers of Sèvre and Maine. The slopes of these river valleys give the vines unique exposure. After centuries of erosion they grow on a terroir of schist, gneiss and mineral rich orthogneiss, a soil composition that means Saint-Fiâcre is considered one of the best sites for Muscadet Sèvre et Maine.
Wines are made from vines of different ages. The oldest were planted in 1950s - a rarity in an area where most are dug up after 40 years - whilst the most recent plantings date from 2016. Not only are new vines being planted when necessary, but the planting density is being increased from 7,000 to 7,700 vines per hectare to force the roots deeper into the rocky soils.
After working in vineyards across the world, Pierre-Henri Gadais returned to his family's domaine in 2016 to take over from his father, Christophe, who had taken it over from the previous owner - Nelly Marzelleau - in 2009. Passionate about the expression of terroir and protecting the environment, Pierre-Henri is in the process of converting the vineyard to fully organic viticulture, aiming for full certification by 2021.
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