2020 Domaine Mosse Initial Carbo

WINEMAKER: Agnès, René, Sylvestre & Joseph Mosse
REGION: Loire Valley, FR
VARIETAL: Chenin Blanc
VITICULTURE: Certified Organic/Biodynamic

This wine sees a variation to past practice by the Mosse family. Previously, the Chenin Blanc grapes from their prized vineyard called Bonnes Blanches have been used for a wine of the same name. This is a place with good exposure and excellent silt and shale soil which is littered with small white pebbles from which the name of the vineyard is derived. The vines in the Bonnes Blanches vineyard are around 40 years old and are tended organically and certified by Qualité France. The yield from this vineyard is quite low at only 25 hectolitres per hectare (compared with figures of 60 to 100 in conventional vineyards). The low yields and the organic farming leads to very high quality grapes.

After hand harvesting of the grapes they underwent carbonic maceration for 11 days with the juice that accumulated in the bottom of the tank being drawn off daily. The juice was then transferred to used wooden barrels for 10 months of aging. It was bottled in July 2021. The result is a macerated wine with fine tannins and aromas of candied citrus fruits, fresh almonds and herbaceous notes. This is a wonderful wine!

Founded in 1999, Domaine Mosse has gathered a serious cult following. Started by Agnès and René, now run by their sons Sylvestre and Joseph, the family tend to their 17 hectares of pristine vineyards in Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay according to organic and biodynamic principles. We're always grateful to receive small quantities of these highly sought-after wines.