Domaine de La Parentiere Muscadet Vielles Vignes 2023

There are few better regions than Muscadet for expressing the quality known as "minerality" that is so often sought after. Michel and Guilhaume Ménager of Domaine de la Parentière have a special type of soil called gabbro that makes their Muscadets some of the most "mineral" of any that I've come across. Gabbro is a volcanic type of soil sometimes called "black granite" but it is most similar to basalt, if a little coarser. With 40 years of organic farming to further enhance the expressiveness of their vines, this Parentière Muscadet is sizzling with stony savory energy. It's like squeezing a lemon on a boulder and licking it. Ripping acid, dazzling overtones, and salty, dusty lees notes make this an invigorating, exciting wine that can't be beat for the price. Jonathan Kemp