Anjou-Saumur

Frédéric and Nathalie Mabileau are a husband and wife team who spend a huge amount of time and energy maintaining their vineyards, which are situated just north of the river Loire. They are firm believers in hand-harvesting and in organic farming methods. Pale ruby in colour, this Cabernet Franc displays varietal aromas of red cherry and raspberry alongside a subtle leafiness on the nose. On the palate, the concentration of these red fruit flavours really comes through, joined by sweet red pepper and all perfectly balanced by a fresh acidity and gravelly minerality.
Drink 2019 to 2020
Adam Bruntlett, Buyer (spring 2019)

Les Racines 2015 has really hit its straps after three years in bottle. It hails from a relatively cool site (farmed organically), with stony soils, so takes longer to come round than the richer Rouillères. The nose is bright and engaging, with black fruit and savoury notes of grilled meat and black pepper. Expect fresh acidity but remarkably supple tannins – owing, in part, to its élevage in used 600-litre foudres. In fact, this is downright voluptuous compared to the majority of Loire Cabernet Francs. Impressive length too. Drink now to 2022.
Will Heslop, Burgundy Buying Assistant (spring 2019)

The Mabileau family has been making wine since 1620, but Frédéric and his wife Nathalie are looking to the future. They are currently renovating their winery in the village of St Nicolas de Bourgueil. As if that wasn’t enough, they’re converting a proportion of their vineyards to biodynamics.

This luxurious Chenin Blanc comes from a sunny, single-hectare parcel near Puy-Notre-Dame. Expect aromas of ripe stone and orchard fruit, as well as notes of buttered toast attributable to a year’s élevage in new 600-litre oak barrels. The palate is full and voluptuous, yet balanced, with refreshing acidity. Drink now to 2025.

Mixed Case contains : 1 bottle each: 2003, 1997, 1985, 1975, 1971 & 1968 vintages.
One of the most enjoyable and memorable tastings I have been to was the tasting of the wines from the Loire valley’s Moulin Touchais a few weeks ago. After a brief hiatus while available stocks were checked, I am now very pleased to offer you these fascinating and great value wines. Here at Berry Bros & Rudd, we have long championed the great sweet wines of the Loire. From Bonnezeaux to Vouvray and Coteaux du Layon to Quarts de Chaume, there are dozens of producers that stand out but very few that have a history that stretches as far back as that of Moulin Touchais. The ancestors of the estate were producing wine as far back as 1787, over 130 years before Gaston Huet founded perhaps the region’s most famous estate. Since 1990, the estate’s 150 hectares have been presided over by Jean-Marie Touchais, the 8th generation to run the winery, and very little has changed viticulturally in the last century.

Here the belief is that the best sweet wines are produced with traditional methods: low yields, hand harvesting and slow fermentations, aiming for approximately 70-80g/l of residual sugar in the bottle. Following the vintage, the wine is bottled quickly (the following March), having never seen a barrel and then left in the cellar for a decade before release. A labour of love not an economic enterprise. Fortunately for us the previous generations of the estate had the foresight not to sell through every year so we are in a position to offer a fantastic range of vintages from the estate. 

Notes from Richard Kelley MW, one of the UK’s greatest authorities on the Loire. All are drinking now and will continue to offer pleasure for many years to come and in the case of the younger wines, decades to come!
Chris Pollington, Fine Wine Account Manager
2003 Moulin Touchais, Coteaux du Layon
The year of the heatwave. It was not difficult to make sweet wine this year, although with such and long, dry and intensely hot summer, there was little prospect of any botrytis developing this season. The resulting wine is lush and sexy. Immediately approachable, it is perhaps one of the greatest Moulin Touchais releases ever. The texture and density will ensure that this has a very long and enjoyable drinking window. Richard Kelley MW

1997 Moulin Touchais, Coteaux du Layon
Along with 1990 and 1996, the 1997 is one of the best three vintages of the decade. Rich, open and textured nose with some botrytis elements. This shows its distinction. Rich and lush on entry with great texture and poise. Excellent acid balance, focus and length. This is already approachable but will age and continue to evolve for many years to come. Top wine – top vintage.
Richard Kelley MW

1985 Moulin Touchais, Coteaux du Layon
There is a noticeable difference in colour here. Very deep, old gold and clearly a wine marked by botrytis. This is evolved, but has probably been on this plateau of development for years. There are notes of caramel on the nose. Open and expressive. Delicate and elegant on entry, it builds well with a notable thread of acidity running through the wine. Persistent and powerful finish. This is drinking now but will continue to hold for many more years. It remains my favourite wine of the decade, developing savoury and a saline character once opened. Richard Kelley MW 1968 Moulin Touchais, Coteaux du Layon
Deep gold, almost amber in colour. Initially quite closed but opens up with a few minutes in the glass. Beautiful mature Chenin nose, classic Loire notes of wet wool and lanolin. Lovely fresh, orange, marmalade and caramel on the palate. Beautiful texture. Long dry, spicy finish. Delicious!
Gareth Birchley, Fine Wine Buyer

This comes from a vineyard with sandy gravel soils in the westernmost sector of the St Nicolas de Bourgueil appellation. This is the one cuvée for which Frédéric retains a proportion of the stems. It’s then raised for four months in stainless steel tanks, to emphasise its bright, lifted aromas of red berry and black pepper. There’s real tension to the palate, and fine, grippy tannins, which will have you reaching for a plate of charcuterie. Drink now to 2022.
Will Heslop, Burgundy Buying Assistant (spring 2019)