2009 Pierre Luneau Muscadet Allees Old Vines

haven't had the 09 Allees (yet), but L-P is one of the best producers in the Nantais IMHO.

Yes, the producer is worthy of a taste.

I don't know about 2009 prices. Cellartracker lists the average price for the 2008 as $14.74 (but it is an average among 4 users, so take it with a grain of salt).

Expect nice acidity and some fruit, maybe on the citrusy side.

First of all, I hope that you weren't adversely affected by the recent Christchurch trembler. Beyond that, I'll back up what others have said: L-P is a top-notch producer and '09 is a good, if ripe, year. Clos des Allees is one of the top wines made by Luneau-Papin, so you're getting a high end Muscadet, but one that can nonetheless be drunk as soon as one wants (though it'll age for 5-10 years with no sweat, too).

Mark Lipton

As others have said, one of the best producers. I believe Santiago and I tasted this wine from the vat. The 2009 fruit was very good indeed.

Echoing what Mark said don't be afraid to put this one down for 10 years or so.

-E

Thanks to responders.

Professor, I'm in Auckland, which as you know is a long way from ChCh and no recent family/friends connections. I recall a post from Joe Coulter? saying he was at Villa Maria in Auckland at the time of the earthquake,and found out about it later in Frisco or LA.

Back to the wine. The is much comment on Luneau-Paplin wines from time to time. Is there any relationship between L-P & Pierre Luneau?

One other question, several have mentioned tasting 2009 already, but muscadet is a low acidity variety, will the ripe 2009 vintage result in soft flabby shortlived wine?

Re price $NZD20, say $US15.

cheers greybeard

I'm not sure why you characterize muscadet as a low acidity variety (actually the variety is melon de bourgogne, but I don't think that is low acidity either).

Yes, some 2009s will doubtless be flabby. The particular wine you are discussing has been excellent in some vintages. Just buy a bottle already and try it - I think you are over-thinking a small purchase on a wine that can generally be expected to be good.

Yes, I know personally how far Auckland is from Christchurch, having driven the distance with (ex-)Milud St. Helier and the Hoares (that has quite a salacious ring to it, doesn't it?).

Pierre Luneau is the proprietor of Luneau-Papin. You can read all the gory details here:

As Doug said, Melon de Bourgogne, the grape from which Muscadet is made, is anything but low in acid. Normally, Muscadet is quite crisply acidic such that it's often paired with shellfish. The '09s I've had have had plenty of acid but been a bit rounder and fleshier than is the norm. That's all. As for aging, I'm not sure, but I wouldn't bet against them aging well for a decade. I had a 1992 Luneau-Papin Muscadet in 2006 that was still going strong.

Eminently reasonable by US standards.

Cheers! Mark Lipton

Hey Greybeard

Don't keep secrets

I will be down from Whangarei in a couple weeks

Where did you find this wine?

I have been searching (in vain) for a half decent Muscadet.

Cheers

st.helier

Caro's (Parnell) milord.

They do a weekly email specials list. The muscadet is on this weeks. They have a web presence.

greybeard.