2017  La Moussiere

La Moussiere -- In 2013, this historic estate celebrates its 500th anniversary – 19 successive generations of winegrowers in the Mellot family. Today Alphonse Jr. is in total charge, having taken over the reigns from his father Alphonse Sr. fully five years ago. The property, known as La Moussiere, is now at the height of quality for white wines world-wide. All farming is organic and certified biodynamic, with an elite team in the vineyards focused on low yields and ideal ripeness. Their Sauvignons have acquired a rare precision and each parcel is well-defined, perhaps even more so with the reds. This fascination for Pinot Noir has led Alphonse, together with Vincent Geantet (of Geantet-Pansiot in Gevrey-Chambertin), to re-establish a medieval vineyard, known as Les Penitents, on the other side of the Loire River, just south of Pouilly-Fume.

2014  Le Grand Fricambault

2014  

2015  Rouge Vin des Allobroges Côteau de Cevins

From Domaine des Ardoisieres, it seems Mont Blanc is everywhere. The towering mountain watches over this small estate near the Swiss border from every angle, shaping the wines so expertly grown and made here. The domaine was planted during Roman times, then became overgrown with forest. A passionate group of supporters cleared the vineyard in 1998 and began piecing the steep terraces back together to create Domaine des Ardoisieres. Since 2005, Champagne native Brice Omont has taken over the winemaking and is now considered one of the most exciting producers in France. For the very first time, Brice's wines are being imported to the United States. The domaine's 17 acres of vineyards are planted on steep, rocky slopes high above the town of Freterive. The entire production is sourced from two single vineyard sites: Cevins and St. Pierre de Soucy. The domaine produces five different cuvées (three white, two red) using the area's unique varietals, including Altesse, Jacquère, Mondeuse, Gamay and Persan. The domaine has employed biodynamic principles in the vineyard since the vines were planted. The reds are produced without any de-stemming, and all the wines are fermented with native yeasts. Brice's wines are brilliantly unique, capturing the stony and mineral character of the vineyard terraces, and possessing an amazing crystalline purity. Drinking these wines from the side of Mont Blanc is like tasting freshly squeezed juice running off a glacier. -- Poor and shallow mica schist soil. Average yield 20 hl/ha. Vines planted on south facing slopes, steep up to 60%. Gobelet training. Only indegenious yeasts are used. The grapes (Persan) are macerated for 2 to 3 weeks and fermented in tanks. The wine is aged for 12 months in oak barrels (2 to 3 years old), and bottled after light filtration.

2016  IGP Vin des Allobroges St-Pierre de Soucy

From Domaine des Ardoisieres, it seems Mont Blanc is everywhere. The towering mountain watches over this small estate near the Swiss border from every angle, shaping the wines so expertly grown and made here. The domaine was planted during Roman times, then became overgrown with forest. A passionate group of supporters cleared the vineyard in 1998 and began piecing the steep terraces back together to create Domaine des Ardoisieres. Since 2005, Champagne native Brice Omont has taken over the winemaking and is now considered one of the most exciting producers in France. For the very first time, Brice's wines are being imported to the United States. The domaine's 17 acres of vineyards are planted on steep, rocky slopes high above the town of Freterive. The entire production is sourced from two single vineyard sites: Cevins and St. Pierre de Soucy. The domaine produces five different cuvées (three white, two red) using the area's unique varietals, including Altesse, Jacquère, Mondeuse, Gamay and Persan. The domaine has employed biodynamic principles in the vineyard since the vines were planted. The reds are produced without any de-stemming, and all the wines are fermented with native yeasts. Brice's wines are brilliantly unique, capturing the stony and mineral character of the vineyard terraces, and possessing an amazing crystalline purity. Drinking these wines from the side of Mont Blanc is like tasting freshly squeezed juice running off a glacier. -- Schist and ardoise (a type of hard, black schist native to the region), mixed with clay. Average yield 40 hl/ha. Vines planted on west facing slopes. Guyot and Cordon Royal training. Only indegenious yeasts are used. The grapes (Gamay & Persan) are macerated for 12 days, and vinified 100% in tanks. The wine is further aged in tanks for 8 months then bottled after light filtration.

2011  Clos Guillot

2012  Demi-Sec

2013  Cuvee de Fondraux

Chenin Blanc from vines averaging 45 years of age. Harvest happens early in the morning for the Fondraux and the grapes are immediately pressed. The juice in then transferred into 500 L wooden barrels for a slow fermentation. The wine is aged in the same vessel on its lees for eleven months before bottling.

2014  Saumur Argile Blanc

Saumur Argile Blanc -- Organic Chenin Blanc from vines averaging 30yrs -- Aromatically lifted with notes of apricot and anjou pear, a succulent and focused sipper.

2012  

2012  Jardins de Babylone

Jardins de Babylone -- Extremely limited production. This dessert wine was considered by Didier himself to be the finest of all his wines. Made from Petit Manseng grown biodynamically on Silex (clay and flint) soil in a natural amphitheater of vines at the foot of the Pyranees near the village of Aubertin. Barrel fermented and aged mostly in 450 and 600 liter barrels, as well as some of Dagueneau's famous cigar barrels. Designed by the late Didier, these barrels are 350 liters and aggressively elongated. Dagueneau’s approach is to produce wines that bring out the natural minerality of the soil and have balance, harmony and longevity. The relative sweetness of each vintage is secondary to the balance of acidity, texture and richness of fruit and the wines will never be chaptalized.

2014  Jardins de Babylone

Jardins de Babylone -- Extremely limited production. This dessert wine was considered by Didier himself to be the finest of all his wines. Made from Petit Manseng grown biodynamically on Silex (clay and flint) soil in a natural amphitheater of vines at the foot of the Pyranees near the village of Aubertin. Barrel fermented and aged mostly in 450 and 600 liter barrels, as well as some of Dagueneau's famous cigar barrels. Designed by the late Didier, these barrels are 350 liters and aggressively elongated. Dagueneau’s approach is to produce wines that bring out the natural minerality of the soil and have balance, harmony and longevity. The relative sweetness of each vintage is secondary to the balance of acidity, texture and richness of fruit and the wines will never be chaptalized.