2018 Monnières Saint Fiacre Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine, Michel Delhommeau

The cuvée Monnières-Saint-Fiacre hails from a parcel of 30 year-old vines on gneiss soils near Monnières. This is a truly exceptional terroir which, M. Delhommeau recognises, requires time to express itself. The 2018 spent no fewer than 3 years on its lees in steel tank and – while it’s drinking splendidly now – will only improve with a further couple of years in bottle. The term chablisien is often used lazily but here it’s entirely appropriate, not simply due to the wine’s crushed oyster and citrus aromas, but because of its concentration, precision and sheer length on the palate (worthy in fact of a fine Chablis 1er Cru). Naturally, this will shine alongside oysters or moules-frîtes, but it has the weight and presence to pair with Dover sole à la meunière and other creamy fish and poultry dishes.
Drink 2022-2026

Will Heslop • Buyer