Vineyards and winemaking
Le Pavillon is a single-parcel Muscadet made from Melon de Bourgogne vines of around 40 years old. The vineyard lies at Bouaye between the Lac de Grand-Lieu, the Loire and the Atlantic, with sandy, stony soils contributing both ripeness and mineral freshness.
The grapes are gently pressed and the must settles cool for approximately 48 hours before temperature-controlled fermentation. Around eight months on the lees, with stirring after fermentation, builds texture and length while retaining the bright acidity expected of Muscadet sur lie.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Pale green-gold, bright and youthful.
Nose
Pineapple and ripe pear are joined by lime peel, white blossom and a clean, rain-on-stone mineral note.
Palate
More substantial than a simple Muscadet, with tropical and orchard fruit shaped by lively acidity. Fine lees texture rounds the middle, while citrus, stone and a discreet saline note lengthen the dry finish.
Food pairing
Pair with oysters and shallot vinegar, brown crab on toasted crumpets, grilled mackerel with gooseberry, or a leek and mussel tart. Serve well chilled but not icy, allowing the texture to emerge in the glass.
Background story
Domaine du Haut Bourg is a four-generation family estate in Bouaye, south of Nantes, where Hervé and Nicolas Choblet now tend vines around the Lac de Grand-Lieu. The nearby lake, Loire and Atlantic temper the local climate, while mica schist, granite, sand and sedimentary soils give the wines their distinctive texture.
Le Pavillon is a standard-bearer for the estate and demonstrates how much character a carefully farmed, individual Muscadet parcel can offer at an everyday price. The 2024 received 91 points from Decanter and can be enjoyed now or allowed to gain further savoury complexity over several years.
