France — wine

Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOC

The archetypal seafood wine of the Loire estuary, Muscadet is made from Melon de Bourgogne on granite and gneiss soils at the mouth of the Loire. Wines aged sur lie (on the lees) develop additional complexity, texture, and a distinctive yeasty minerality. The finest Muscadet — from the Crus Communaux de Gorges, Le Pallet, Clisson — can age for a decade or more and rival far more expensive white wines.

Year Rating Notes
2024 Atlantic conditions excellent; old-vine Melon de Bourgogne aromatic and mineral.
2023 Fresh and mineral; classic Muscadet style
2022 Outstanding sur lie complexity and depth
2021 Superb freshness and mineral character
2020 Good quality; accessible and food-friendly
2019 Excellent year; minerality and lees integration
2018 Classic year; Crus Communaux ageing beautifully.