2024: A vintage under the rain
July 2024
Maisdon-sur-Sèvre
For Jérémie Batard, who took over the family estate in 2020 after working with his father for several years, each year brings its own unique challenges… and for 2024, he dreams of a more serene vintage.
But despite the rainy season, he retains his eternal smile and the energy required to keep a close eye on his organic vineyard!
Zoom on Vintage 2024
The Winter was mild, almost hot and very wet!
Jérémie Batard remembers that budbreak came quickly because he was late with his pruning.
The abundant rainfall in the Autumn and then in the Winter was very welcome, allowing the water reserves to be replenished. But after several months in the rain, the smiles began to fade.
Although the vines budded early in the season, vegetative development was very slow as temperatures remained cool. However, there was no hail or frost and the whole of Jérémie’s vineyard had a very good inflorescence emergence – unlike its neighbours.
Unfortunately, the cold Spring temperatures have led to a lot of “Filage” (the development of vine tendrils) – even on the estate’s 60-year-old vines – and the harvest will be small.
“Filage” occurs when temperatures are too cold. The inflorescences stop developing and produce a branched tendril. Sometimes there are still a few rudimentary flower buds at the tip, but they will not open or produce fruit.
Photo 1: Filage then drying in Spring
photo 2: Filage a little later in the season
In July, at the time of writing, the inflorescences no longer exist, there are only tendrils.
The vineyard is very green and leafy, but downy mildew is latent and it rains literally every day, requiring close monitoring.
This year, all copper treatments are accompanied by the addition of essential oils of orange peel or calcium to amplify the copper’s effects and dry out the fungus.
Vineyard Evolution
The vines remain beautiful, with very few missing despite their great age – an average of 60 years!
Out of the 24 ha, Jérémie pulled up 3 ha this year: 1.20 ha that were planted with Cabernet and Merlot and 1.80 ha of Muscadet planted in an area that had become too frosty.
These areas will be left fallow to start with, and will perhaps be planted with shrubs.
Wines Currently Available
Pensées Nocturnes:
Blend of 30% Melon de Bourgogne and 70% Folle Blanche.
Traditional method
Vintage of 2021
No dosage
Les Prières :
Granitic soil
Vintage 2023
Second bottling (Lot #2) done in July with additional ageing on lees
Expressive nose of citrus and exotic fruit, on the palate (a little less varietal than Lot #1 thanks to the ageing on lees) complex with aromas of lemon, lime blossom, spicy finish. Good body, quite long.
Le Besson:
Gabbro soil
Vintage 2022
Very good tension and freshness on the palate.
Fresh nose of white flowers, acacia, lime zest and lemon balm.
On the palate, green apples, a round mouth with a saline finish and salivating acidity.
Le Moulin de Gustais:
Gneiss soils
Vintage 2021
Intense aromas of lemon zest, musk, peach blossom, almond blossom and potpourri. Saline on the palate, with hints of Greek yoghurt, and tangy with notes of lime. The texture is rich and round, with a mineral finish and hints of oyster shells and milky notes. A very complex wine.
Château-Thébaud:
Granodiorite soils
Cru, aged for a minimum of 2 years on fine lees.
vintage 2019
91 pts WE “The granite soils of this region of the Muscadet cru have produced a highly mineral wine. Its acidity accompanies the wine’s tight structure and the lemony fruit that has softened. Drink now. “
Monnières-Saint-Fiacre:
Gneiss soils
Cru, aged for at least 2 years on fine lees
2020 Vintage
A very complex wine, with intense aromas on the nose and palate of spices, lime blossom, apricot and white flowers. Very long on the palate, with a fine balance between the volume of the Gneiss terroir and the natural tension of the Melon de Bourgogne.
C’est quand qu’on va où?
Gneiss soil
Vintage 2023
Maceration on the skins throughout fermentation over ten days.
Nose of medicinal herbs and oyster shells, supple palate with present but mellow tannins.
