PV Tasting Notes
Perhaps because of the vintage, perhaps because of the talent of Marc Ollivier, there are no simple wines from this estate. This is the base wine, and frankly it beats 95% of other producers top wines. All of Olivier wines are fabulous value, this is outstanding, the opening on the palate is gentle to begin, then builds pear, apple, almond extract, sea shell, chalk and stone. The flavours mingle gorgeously in the mouth, the finish is zesty mineral and delivers touches of nut oils, meant to be drunk fairly young, but I think it has a minimum 10 years of life in it. It is a remarkable wine for the money.
Independent Review89 Points Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate | Aug 2010
The basic (but by no means simple) Pepiere 2009 Muscadet de Sevre et Maine Sur Lie is scented with green apple, lime, quarry dust, and a hint of elder flower. Low-key, soft to the touch for Muscadet, but highly refreshing; and tinged with citrus rind, crushed stone, and iodine, it finishes with mouth-watering persistence.
89 Points Steve Tanzer's The International Wine Cellar | 2010
Light, bright straw. White flowers, lemon curd, orange peel and minerals on the nose. Vibrant, precise citrus and floral flavors are underscored by zesty minerals, which add clarity and tangy lift. Pure and brisk on the finish, which repeats the orange note. This surprisingly approachable wine reminds me a bit of chenin blanc.
Will suit Chicken saltimbocca with new potatoes, Chicken al limone, Jerk chicken salad, Tempura chicken, but much finer with Seafood-stuffed sole, Pan-fried plaice with crab and samphire, Grilled squid with lemon, garlic and cumin, Spaghetti with clam sauce, Razor clams marinière, Mussels with wine and parsley or Mussels with pesto pasta, in fact Mussels any way.
A few years ago, I introduced to the UK Market Marc Ollivier and his World Class Wines..... I wrote
So much has been written about Marc Ollivier of Domaine de la Pépière, long regarded as “the Legend” of the Muscadet producers, when Marc is on form, and he has been for a very long time, these hand crafted wines are of World Class quality, this heroic vigneron does in Muscadet with old vines, granite soils and low yield what others can only dream of in much more seriously expensive appellations. All of Marc’s wines are the authentic item, not only are they delicious young, but can age for 10, 20 and even 30 years. An astonishing achievement for white wines of any price bracket but these beauties are what can only be described as selling for virtually a song.
Muscadet is certainly one of the great underrated wine regions of France and quite possibly the most complex, age worthy white wine you can purchase for sub £10, all of Marc’s wines are left in contact with the lees until the time of bottling, something of a rarity now as most winemakers rush to bottle their wines as soon as possible. Whilst many boring Muscadet examples on the market are technically correct with producers using starter yeasts to accelerate fermentation together with other techniques to finish their wines early, they mostly lack the heart and soul of the Domaine de la Pépière wines. All Pépière wines are hand harvested, another rarity of the region, uses only natural yeast and waits patiently until the wines are ready. This extended contact with the lees provides extra flavour, body and a crispness that makes Muscadet so refreshing, and of course the classic match to seafood together with the perfect choice for Sushi.
The Pépière vineyards range from 40 to 80 years of age, Marc Ollivier is the only grower of the region who does not have a single clonal selection in his vineyards, which are located on a plateau overlooking the river Sèvre. Because of the soil and greater concentration achieved with through lower yielding old vines, his are more powerful wines than most other Muscadet. They are very mineral and quite austere in their youth, rather than fruity and light. Over a few months, or even years, if one can wait for it, they develop much complexity in aromatics and structure. So if you’re on a quest to find some interesting wines that aren’t over extracted, over oaked, over produced and over-priced, do work wonderfully with food, do resemble the very best selections of the region, lower in alcohol and are affordable for frequent enjoyment, then perhaps our selection of Pépière Muscadet are the choice for you, as quite a few of our regular clients are finding out.
Available now....