letuffeau.com
(Link)
Pour quoi Loire?
Domaine du Collier
Saumur
&
Domaine Mosse
Coteaux du Layon
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“We have once again a minuscule allocation of some very lovely wines that I myself always buy and drink with great excitement. It’s a shame that they are becoming more accoladed and harder to find; with even smaller quantities coming into the country each year, I guess the French keep them for themselves. Smart.
Below we offer you two very different, but two very distinct styles of winemaking from the Loire Valley. Both can be consumed with as much joie de vivre or contemplation as you choose.”
— Will
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Domaine du Collier
Saumur
“Antoine Foucault, son of the late Charly Foucault from Clos Rougeard, is heralded as one of the most intuitive winemakers of his era. Since 2000, with his wife Caroline, he has developed a 12-hectare vineyard from the ground up, of which 5.5 hectares are dedicated to white grape varieties. Their daughter Emma also contributes to this family venture. Antoine, a staunch advocate for traditional viticulture, does not pursue organic or biodynamic labels. His winemaking methodology is rooted in tradition, ‘as I learned from my father’, he frequently remarks, emphasizing gentle extraction, destemming, abstaining from racking in barrels and extended aging periods—nearly two years—plus an additional year in the bottle before release. In my view, Antoine crafts outstanding red wines that marry the precision of Cabernet Francs with the richness of clay and the sharpness of limestone and produces white wines with purity, minerality and depth. Without question, this estate ranks as a jewel of Saumur,
with Antoine illustriously advancing the Foucault family legacy.”
— Yohan Castaing, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
I
Domaine du Collier 2021 Saumur Blanc
2 bottles available
(Shelf Price: $215.00)
Offer: $195.00
“This estate has elaborated in 2021 one of the best white wines in Saumur. Revealing aromas of lemon oil, white flowers, peach, vanilla pod and spices, the 2021 Saumur Blanc is medium to full-bodied, round and enveloping with a pure, precise and crystalline texture that segues into a mineral, lively and slightly phenolic finish. Give it a little time to digest its élevage, and it will offer excellent drinking for gastronomy.”
(91-93)pts - Yohan Castaing, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Order here
(Link)
II
Domaine du Collier 2021 Saumur Rouge ‘La Charpentrie’
1 bottle available
(Shelf Price: $316.00)
Offer: $278.00
“The 2021 La Charpentrie offers wonderful richness without heaviness, which is the job of red Saumur at its best. There's a tranquility about the 2021, as if it's been tended with love and respect, which it has been. This is charming and inviting even at this youthful stage, with lovely succulence despite an elegant frame. While the 2021 is still in its primary, fruity stage with an attractive smokiness, it is already a delight to drink. That said, it has everything to assure a long, successful life.”
95pts — Rebecca Gibb MW, vinous.com
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(Link)
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(Link)
Domaine Mosse
Anjou
“The Mosse family farms completely sustainably with chemical-free & holistic practices, with vines of Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Grolleau Noir, Grolleau Gris, and Chardonnay on about 16 hectares. The soils are mainly of slate and sandstone, partly covered with clay, and everything is harvested by hand with only a team of about 20 people, in order to ensure the quality of the harvested grapes.
All the wines are barrel-fermented and aged, and the whites usually go through malolactic fermentation. It is important to the Mosse family to vinify with as little intervention and sulfur usage as possible.
Brothers Joseph & Sylvestre Mosse have been working in the vineyard & cellar since 2014, and officially took over the domain from their parents in 2018. Joseph studied as a sommelier and went on to gain practical experience both in France and Chile, and Sylvestre did an apprenticeship with well-known respected natural winemaker Frédéric Cossard, as well as harvest in South Africa with natural wine producer Testalonga. The two have been experimenting with a few new varietals, but otherwise follow in their parents’ footsteps with their winemaking.”
— Will
III
Domaine Mosse 2023 Savennieres ‘Arena’
2 bottles available
(Shelf price: $145.00)
Offer: $126.00
“Savennieres is a demanding appellation. It is certainly not for everyone. Oxidative handling is common, as is a cheeky dose of botrytis. Dense and powerful, yet decidedly energetic. In my own—admittedly limited— knowledge of the varietal, this area truly brings out the best of Chenin Blanc. Beeswax, honeysuckle, wet wool, almond paste, orchard fruits. Famille Mosse farms a meagre half-hectare of this tiny AOC’s 150. Minimal diddling here, fermented and raised in neutral old oak, with a bit of lees-stirring. When these arrived, it was a Herculean effort to keep the corkscrew at bay …”
— Nick
Order here
(Link)
IV
Domaine Mosse 2024 Vin de France Rouge ‘Bisou’
2 bottles available
(Shelf price: $79.00)
Offer: $69.00
“A veritable Loire medley of Grolleau Noir, Grolleau Gris, Cabernet Franc, Côt & Chenin Blanc; each varietal vinified separately with 7 to 10 days of carbonic maceration — enough to lift the fruit profile without tending to bubblegum.
Light, fruity, and tangy; think Fruit Tingles. Don’t be afraid to chuck this on ice. Perfect Spring drinking.”
— Nick
Order here
(Link)
V
Domaine Mosse 2023 Vin de France Rouge ‘La Pirie’
2 bottles available
(Shelf Price: $79.00)
Offer: $69.00
“Fifty-fifty Cabernet Franc and Grolleau grown side-by-side in a single lieu-dit on clay and schist soils. Fully destemmed, with a gentle maceration, and 10 months on lees in large-format oak. Silken tannin, juicy black fruits.
Très gourmand.”
— Nick
Order here
(Link)
If you would like any of the above, would like to come by for a private appointment, or just have some questions — please let us know.