Serge Batard Heho le Rouge 2008

From this well known Muscadet estate, this alternative cheery red is an assemblage of 10% cabernet franc, 45% grolleau noir and 45% gamay. The gamay brings fresh fruit aromas to the nose, the cabernet franc brings spice and structure and the grolleau provides a peppery finish.

From his 24 hectares of vineyard land centered in the Cotes de Grandlieu sub-zone, proprietor Serge Batard crafts staggeringly intense Muscadet and bright Gamay that, nonetheless, display all the zingy acidity and palpable minerality you’d expect from this seaside appellation. By working the soils throughout the vegetation cycle, they are able to avoid the use of chemical fertilizers and weed killers in the vineyards. Prolonged lees aging and bottling without racking give the wines extra texture and richness. Furthermore, Batard vinifies his parcels separately, harvesting by hand and blending just before bottling for maximum control over the final wine. Truly stupendous quality here!