John Gilman 92
"The 2020 Muscadet Sevre et Maine Amphibolite from Domaine Gadais Pere et Fils is a lovely wine, clearly showing its granitic soil signature in its complex bouquet of breadfruit, dried flowers, granitic minerality, gentle maritime overtones and a touch of sweet nuttiness from its lees contact. On the palate the wine is brisk, full-bodied and mineral-driven, with a lovely core of fruit, excellent acids and grip, fine balance and a long, complex and focused finish. This is from a three hectare parcel of vines located in Navineaux, which is the first parcel of vines found after the confluence of the Sevre and Maine rivers. Fine juice. 2022-2040."

Sustainbly-Farmed. 100% Melon de Bourgogne from a single parcel of 40-year-old vines overlooking the confluence of the Svre and Maine.

The earliest documented evidence of the existence of the Melon de Bourgogne grape variety in the Nantes region of the Loire Valley dates back to 1616. It is a lease contract between Suzanne de Beauc and Louis Mnard, regarding a vine located in Navineaux, Vertou parish. It is on this site, in the hamlet now renamed Les Avineaux that this cuve is produced. The prevalence of amphibolite in the soil makes it ideal for producing an elegant and refreshing sur-lie Muscadet, the Navineaux-Amphibolite. This parcel, unique in its class due to its history, forms a 3-hectare enclosed unit. Its northeastern exposure provides a cool climate, which is ideal in warmer years. The soil, based on amphibolite (which is rare in the Nantes region) and on mica schist, leads to balanced wines. In this enclosed space surrounded by trees, close to the Maine river, reigns a rich and diverse ecosystem.

In 1952, Louis Gadais sought to bottle and sell his wine, and in doing so, was considered a trailblazer in the field. In 1959, his sons Marcel and Michel began supporting him, and developed the same approach to quality that would ultimately convert a loyal customer base for their Muscadet. The estate is spread out over a hundred plots, all dedicated to the cultivation of Melon de Bourgogne. Favouring a healthy, nature-focused approach to work, Domaine Gadais has also always advocated for sustainable agriculture.