One Star - Producteur de Grande Qualité - Le Classement 2009
What the critics are saying:
“Ah, my beloved Muscadet always pops up on this list, as I like to buy'em and age 'em for upward of a decade. Guy Bossard, the owner-winemaker of Domaine de l'Ecu, is obsessed with Muscadet. His vines and winemaking are fully biodynamic. If Burgundy's Domaine Leroy made Muscadet, it would be Domaine de l'Ecu.” Matt Kramer, Wine Spectator - My Wines of the Year
You are in for a real treat here. There is no doubt that Guy Bossard's Domaine de L'Ecu is the finest producer in Muscadet, fashioning flinty, earthy, fleshy dry whites to compare not only with quality Loire whites but with the best of Alsace and Northern Italy. Bossard is determined to take Muscadet to another level by revealing the nature of Muscadet’s many terroirs. To this end he produces several cuvees that reflect vastly different vineyard sites, named according to the predominant soil make-up.
In his highly acclaimed work, “The New France” [Mitchell Beazley 2002], Andrew Jefford gives this producer a “one star” rating (the only producer of the region to receive this recommendation) and writes, “Guy Bossard's 20-ha domain has been organically run since 1975 and biodynamic since 1986. The skilled Bossard is at present taking Muscadet as far as it can go...” Jacqueline Friedrich states in her excellent “A Wine & Food Guide to the Loire”, “Muscadet is not, by its nature, powerhouse material. But the best can hold its own against many a Pouilly Fumé or Fuissé as well as the sleek white wines coming from Italy. And the very best can make you dream. Pale, racy and dry, Muscadet’s appeal is its delicacy and the steely vigour it expresses within that context. Its tart lemon tang is offset by savoury almond flavours and a Badoit-like taste of minerals.” Domaine de l’Ecu is one of Jacqueline Friedrich’s two highest rated producers. It is one of only three Muscadet producers in Le Classement 2009 with the producteur des grande qualité ranking. Robert Parker also lists Domaine de L’Ecu as one of Muscadet’s finest producers in his Wine Buyers Guide. The UK’s Wine Magazine has written, “Fanatical attention to detail in the vineyards (including biodynamic farming) enables Guy Bossard to make an excellent range of wines… impressive weight and structure…”
This is an extraordinarily good wine and the price makes it arguably the best value white wine buy we can offer. Do not underestimate their ability to age either – 3 to 7 years is entirely possible with increasing depth and complexity. Note: this is a dry white of haunting delicacy, serve it at a cool, room temperature as opposed to ice cold.
Intense, tightly focused mineral palate with tangy, lemony acidity, sea spray and fresh cut pears, beautifully balanced with bite and finesse. This is classic Muscadet through and through
Expression de Granite is the heavy hitter in Bossard's range. It's a beautifully elegant, mineral white that ages with surprising grace and power. It has a satiny texture with lingering notes... read more
