Domaine Luneau-Papin : L d'Or 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the L d'Or 2023 from Domaine Luneau-Papin

Tasting Notes

Nose
It reveals a lovely aromatic intensity marked by great finesse and subtle iodized notes.

Palate
Offers a flavorful texture and remarkable depth. This wine stands out for its long finish, carried by a highly expressive saline character.

Food and Wine Pairings
This cuvée pairs wonderfully with oysters in aspic, pike in beurre blanc, or pikeperch served with citrus butter. It will also elevate lobster à l'armoricaine as well as a pressed cooked cheese such as an eighteen-month-aged Comté.

Serving and Cellaring
To fully appreciate the L d'Or 2023, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature of 12°C. With great aging potential, this wine can be cellared for more than 15 years.

The Mineral Purity of a Great Muscadet Sèvre et Maine

The Estate
Located in the Loire region, Domaine Luneau-Papin is a true benchmark. Although the family history goes back several centuries, the estate was established in its current form in the 1990s, following the union of Pierre Luneau and Monique Papin. Today, Pierre-Marie and Marie Luneau head this roughly 40-hectare property. Recognized as a leading name in the Nantes vineyards, the estate stands out for its deep commitment to biodynamics and its drive to reveal the unique identity of each terroir through exceptional single-plot cuvées.

The Vineyard
This Muscadet Sèvre et Maine comes from the village of Vallet, from a historic family plot crossed by a river and nestled between two communes. The vines, planted in 1984 at a density of 6,500 vines per hectare, thrive on soil from the Armorican Massif made up of granite and two-mica gneiss. The terroir borders a hillside characterized by a 500-meter-wide granite vein. The vineyard is certified organic (Ecocert) and biodynamic (Demeter and Biodyvin). Soil life is stimulated through natural preparations, with no synthetic products whatsoever. Short, gentle pruning respects the flow of sap, and careful bunch sorting is carried out directly on the vine.

The Vintage
The year 2023 is characterized by an overall fine balance. After a warm spring and early summer, rainfall arrived in July and early August. The end of the summer season and the harvest period were marked by intense heat. Thanks to meticulous work throughout the growing cycle, the team was able to preserve the authentic expression of the terroir, avoiding the overly sun-driven profile seen in previous years.

Winemaking and Aging
The alcoholic fermentation of the L d'Or 2023 starts spontaneously through the action of indigenous yeasts. The wine then undergoes a long 21-month aging process, carried out without any racking. This maturation phase is divided equally between three types of vessels: one third in Austrian oak foudres, one third in Italian terracotta amphorae, and the final third in underground concrete vats lined with glass tiles. Bottling is scheduled for July 2025.

Grape Variety
100% Melon de Bourgogne