It has been a while since we have offered a Muscadet, so we knew it would be a great choice when we tasted this recently. This is a Domaine built in the 14th century by the Loré de la Ragotière family and was purchased by a few brothers in 1979 with big dreams of making great wines. Today, though joined by a few new family members, the winery remains the same as it was in the days of old producing high-quality and long-lived muscadets. The Vallet is the Domaine's sweet spot, giving a taste of the quality for a low entry cost. This is an impressive wine, and though the label doesn't indicate, this is an old vine Cuvee, coming from vines that are 50+ years old. The vines are crown on a rocky hillside where the soils are black and white mica, which are cultivated organically. The grapes are sorted and pressed and vinified in neutral tanks where it spends 30 months aging on the lees. The Vallet has notes of pear, peach, almond, honey, and white flowers with a rich yet light palate, tight mineral character, and a salty mineral finish. Vallet is a wine that explores the dynamic between fruit and savory character and is a delicious wine for twenty dollars pairing excellently with many different types of seafood. A great choice for those looking for a white wine value drinker, those looking to get familiar with muscadet, or for fans of Domaine de la Pépière.
2014 Chateau de la Ragotiere Muscadet de Sevre-et-Maine Vallet
2014 Chateau de la Ragotiere Muscadet de Sevre-et-Maine Vallet
$20.99
$20.99
It has been a while since we have offered a Muscadet, so we knew it would be a great choice when we tasted this recently. This is a Domaine built in the 14th century by the Loré de la Ragotière family and was purchased by a few brothers in 1979 with big dreams of making great wines. Today, though joined by a few new family members, the winery remains the same as it was in the days of old producing high-quality and long-lived muscadets. The Vallet is the Domaine's sweet spot, giving a taste of the quality for a low entry cost. This is an impressive wine, and though the label doesn't indicate, this is an old vine Cuvee, coming from vines that are 50+ years old. The vines are crown on a rocky hillside where the soils are black and white mica, which are cultivated organically. The grapes are sorted and pressed and vinified in neutral tanks where it spends 30 months aging on the lees. The Vallet has notes of pear, peach, almond, honey, and white flowers with a rich yet light palate, tight mineral character, and a salty mineral finish. Vallet is a wine that explores the dynamic between fruit and savory character and is a delicious wine for twenty dollars pairing excellently with many different types of seafood. A great choice for those looking for a white wine value drinker, those looking to get familiar with muscadet, or for fans of Domaine de la Pépière.