TN: 2009 Domaine de la Pépière (Marc Ollivier) Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Clisson

  • 2009 Domaine de la Pépière (Marc Ollivier) Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Clisson - France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine (3/16/2012)
    A bit austere at first, it took some time for the aromatics to build and the palate to flesh out. With air the aromatics of pure lemon, seashell and herbs were vivid and the citrus flavors really blossomed on the palate. As with other Clisson’s the mouthfeel is creamy with a bit more weight than the Clos des Briords has. Despite its increased weight, this still has incredible energy and feels like you’re dunking your head in a mountain stream - refreshing and complex beyond belief. This is a beautiful muscadet that will be fascinating to watch mature. (92 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

Thanks, Matt. The 09s are a bit rich for some tastes, in the context of Nantes wines, but I thought the Briords was terrific and am buying the Clisson blind. I read somewhere 10 should be a more ‘classic’ year.

No surprise that some of the 2009s are a bit dense/creamy for some…but this is nicely balanced. The minerality is seriously powerful too. You’ll enjoy 'em!

Thanks for the note Matt, I have this on order (as well as the Briords), looking forward to giving it a spin someday soon. I guess the AOC forced them into a name change for this in 2009 right? Just labeled Clisson now from the pictures i’ve seen. Of course both entries exist in CT. I choose the simply Clisson one as the Kissack review was there (he loved it), and only a couple short extant notes at this entry, although your good note is there now…

Jim - thanks for noticing the name change. I think I overlooked that when I was processing my order within CT…just double-checked my bottle and the usual “Granite de Clisson” just reads “Clisson” this year.

True, I am a mineral slut. Anyway, must keep my Clisson vertical intact at all costs.

This is also what I’ve read.

Any word if they’re doing a 2010 Clisson? You gotta think that with such a great vintage they’ll put one together.

Sounds killer Matt. Ollivier rocks.

I’m looking forward to the 2010 Clisson. I bet it is going to be balling.

agreed - you’d like this one too. much better than the corked one we opened a couple months ago!

Matt: a glance at CT suggests you’ve been absorbing a significant proportion of Pepiere’s production of 2010 Briords. Any general observations so far?

Matt, great note and man, this is nice juice. My impression from today:

  • 2009 Domaine de la Pépière (Marc Ollivier) Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Clisson - France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine (5/18/2012)
    Popped and poured. Light, bright yellow-gold hue. With 30 minutes of air, this shows an incredibly fragrant bouquet of lemon and lime zest, shaved fennel, sea spray, shellfish brine, and white flowers along with a compelling aromatic characteristic often present in quality Muscadet that’s so hard to pin… (to this taster, almost reminiscent of a dumbed-down peat smell from Scotch). Light body. On the palate, this shows a serious impression of briny minerals derived through the moderate-plus acidity interspersed with notes of citrus and perhaps just a touch of tropical fruits, the latter growing more expressive with air. Speaking of, aeration also seems to bring about a subtle herbaceous streak and perhaps even a touch of chalky astringency that makes one think of tannins…but really, this is acidity, which creates more of an impact as the temperature increases in glass.
    While not inaccessible, this one deserves additional time in the cellar as the potential is great. Just a killer example of Muscadet!

Posted from CellarTracker

I just love Muscadet. It seemingly combines all the complexities I enjoy from other higher acid wines like Chablis along with some of the fruit aspects I find in the more “interesting” white varieties like those from the Rhone. And then there’s that briny/mineral aspect. Just love it.

Matt, Alex et al, here is my take on this 09. Man, this is really showing strong right now and a beauty to drink.

  • 2009 Domaine de la Pépière (Marc Ollivier) Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Clisson - France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine (7/21/2013)
    The last time I drank one of these about a year ago, I wasn’t much inspired with the wine. So in taking one out for dinner last night, then re-trying today, my reaction with this bottle is quite different from the last. I had this in the fridge, where it got a nice chill, letting it warm a little to get it into the sweet spot. Last night, this reminded me of both chenin and chablis crossing together. The minerality and acid hits on all side of the palate, leaving a lemon peel/oil note. Then, the fruit reflects a mix of peach/nectarine and green apple, driving the core of the wine. Finally the finish, a good cut of the mineral I mentioned, then a buffering of the lemon. The intensity here may be too much for some, I suppose palates that have grown used to low acid, higher ripeness and viscous whites. This has some of that viscosity but the intensity I really enjoy so in the end, not for everyone but it is for me.

Posted from CellarTracker

I recently bought a mag of the 10 for $50, which seems like a steal and I’m off to see if I can find more of that. I look forward to trying the 10, and of course finishing this 09 today. flirtysmile

I just finished up a bottle of the 2010 Clisson, and it was brilliant. Never had the 2009, so I don’t have a point of reference, but the 2010 had a rich lemon core with just tremendous salinity and rockiness on the finish. The first night it was like a clenched granite fist, so I socked it away after one glass. Second night, it was en fuego. Wonderful precision and intense minerality. Fun to compare with the very different, but equally compelling, 2010 Briords.

I also love the 2010 Clisson, which is more balanced, more acid core with still so much material. In general with the Pepiere’s I prefer the 2010 over the 2009, but that is more of personal preference as they are both beautiful wines.
Also, as Bill mentioned, this need time to show properly, and I usually open it the day before.

Day before? Mercy. I am thinking of opening it now for dinner later. We finished off the 09 today and so I need a white tonight. Thanks for the comments back, gentlemen.

Agree completely. The 2009 is quite nice, but a touch too fat.

Has anyone had the 2008 recently? Can you compare to the 2010?