Domaine La Pépière, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Clisson (Loire Valley, France) 2023 ($32)

About 15 years ago, the Muscadet Sèvre et Maine appellation identified villages whose wines were particularly distinctive and allowed them to add their name to the label, analogous to the Cru sites of Beaujolais. Clisson, being the most highly regarded, was among the first to receive the accolade. Combine that with Domaine La Pépière, a top producer, and you have a consistent winner. Bright citrus notes and a clear touch of minerality balance the ripeness of the vintage. Clisson and the other Crus replace Muscadet’s emblematic salty verve with more depth and length, making this wine an excellent choice for something like grilled swordfish.
91 Michael Apstein – July 22, 2026