Domaine Mosse
When we first visited the Loire Valley in 2008 the was one domaine that constantly appeared on the wines lists of natural wine bars and restaurants with good wine lists – this was Domaine Mosse. People praised the wines, clearly had immense affection for Agnès and René Mosse, and also talked about the influence they’d had on other wine makers who’d worked with them to gain experience and then started making their own wines.
The first time we tried their natural Anjou Rouge the effect was startling. This is a wine that grabs you by the throat and says 'look at me!'.
It is pure, it is made with precision and skill and it tastes absolutely wonderful.
Since then we have got to know Agnès and René and to know more about their wines. We have found that they not only turn out excellent red wines but their white wines made from Chenin Blanc are seriously good wines as well.
The Mosses are certified biodynamic by Qualité France.
Domaine Mosse Moussamoussettes Vin de France
The Domaine Mosse Moussamoussettes is
definitely a cult wine! When we were in Paris this summer we were offered this
slightly sweet sparkling wine as an aperitif at every smart wine bar in that
city!
We love this wine. It is pale, light, delicious, limpid, slightly sweet and the perfect aperitif for a spring or summer lunch or evening aperitif.
It is made from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Gamay (10%) and Grolleau Gris (20%) grapes which have been co-fermented. It was bottled at 35g residual sugar and fermentation continued in the bottle until the sugar levels fell to around 20g making a pleasant sweetness to match the acidity in the wine. This method is known in France as "Méthode Ancestrale" and the wines are often referred to as Pet Nats (Pétillant Naturels).
Price: SOLD OUT AGAIN! MORE ON THE WAY.
Domaine Mosse Anjou Le Bonnes Blanches 2008
This is the first shipment we have received of this famous white wine from
Rene and Agnes Mosse. Like the Le Rouchefer it is a white wine made from 100% Chenin Blanc. The vines are
from a 2.5 hectare plot where the vines are over 35 years old and the yield is very low at only 20 hectolitres per hectare.
The wine is aged in wooden fûts. Grapes are picked by hand on this domaine. This is a very good food wine.
The alcohol percentage is 13.5 and there is a very small amount of residual
sugar while still finishing dry.
Price for 750ml: $65
Price for magnum: $103
Domaine Mosse Anjou Blanc Initials BB 2009
This famous white wine from Agnès and René Mosse is made from the best grapes from the amazing Bonnes Blanches vineyard which is comprised of sand and clay over schist. Like the Le Rouchefer it is a white wine made from 100% Chenin Blanc.
The vines are from a little .66 hectare section of the vineyard where the best vines grow and where the vines are over 35 years old and the yield is very low at only 20 hectolitres per hectare. The wine is aged in wooden fûts for at least 12 months. Grapes are picked by hand on this domaine. This is a very good food wine with a mineral edge, lots of complexity and a very long finish. The alcohol percentage is 14 and there is no residual sugar.
If you want to experience an elegant Chenin Blanc, then this is the wine to try.
Price: $72
Domaine Mosse Vin de France Achillée Rosé
The Achillée is a beautiful sweet, yet crisp wine with an appealing pale-orange colour and a lively acidity made from the 2010 vintage. The grapes used for this lovely wine are Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grolleau Gris, Grolleau Noir and Gamay. All vines are at least 25 years old.
The grapes were all harvested by hand and the yield was a very low 25 hectolitres per hectare.
Price: $30
Domaine Mosse Magic of JuJu Vin de France
This Chenin Blanc has been made by René using grapes grown organically by two of
his friends. Marta Irico maintains a vineyard in nearby Bonnezeaux and Mr
Bordage-Dessange whose vineyard is in Chaume also supplied some of the grapes. The vineyards are a mix of clay,
gravel and shale. The wine was fermented in fûts and
then aged for 12 months. There is a tiny bit of residual sugar in this charming
Chenin and a lovely hint of oxidative qualities that make the wine a perfect
match for food. This wine has only miniscule amounts of free sulphur. This
wine has a 'Neocork' closure.
Price: SOLD OUT
Domaine Mosse Welcome Aboard Vin de France
This Chenin Blanc has been made by René using grapes grown organically Mr
Bordage whose vineyard is in Chaume.
It is a sweet Chenin Blanc with 28 grams of residual sugar, making it a perfect accompaniment for a cheese course or for desserts.
We love this wine. It is sweet but only slightly sweet. The sweetness is balanced by a lovely streak of acidity which dries the wine off at the back of the palate. It is a very good wine for the price.
Price: $35
Domaine Mosse Anjou Rouge 2009
We are particularly excited about the Anjou Rouge 2009 which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc picked from small parcels of old vines (ranging from 30 to 50 years old). This is a pure, thrilling wine that is fresh and lively on the palate and has a lingering finish. There are blackcurrant leaf, tobacco and cocoa notes that linger and a quite complex aroma. The tannins are quite fine and well-integrated. This is an elegant, moorish wine. The alcohol level is a pleasant 12.5%
Price: $39
Domaine Mosse Anjou Blanc 2010
The Anjou Blanc is made from grapes picked from younger vines in the Mosse
vineyard. The vineyards lie of south-west facing slopes and the soils are
composed of sand and gravel lying on a bed of schist. The grapes are picked and
sorted manually. The average yield is very low for a dry white wine at 25
hectolitres per hectare. The grapes are left to ferment naturally in wooden fûts
and undergo both alcoholic fermentation and malolactic fermentation. There is a
tiny amount of residual sugar in this fresh-tasting wine with a lovely mouthfeel.
Price: SOLD OUT
Mosse Coteaux du Layon Le Champ Boucault 2009 500ml
Oh
wow! Le Champ Boucault is a sweet wine made under the famous Coteaux du Layon
appellation which overlaps the Mosse vineyards. The soils here are sand and
quartz-laden gravel over schist. The grapes are left on the vine to concentrate
the flavour and the final yield is an exceptionally low 12 hectolitres per
hectare. The grapes are picked by hand and are left to ferment naturally. The
wine is aged in wooden fûts for 12 months prior to
bottling. The sugar level is moderate for this appellation at 115.6 grams per
litre. These wines are capable of lasting a long time but are perfectly ready to
drink now as well. Drink as an aperitif or team this wine with a range of
desserts or with a blue cheese such as Roquefort. The sweetness in the wine is
offset by a good streak of acidity. It is a complex, lovely wine of great charm.
This is a wine that we are growing to absolutely love!! Such charm, such depth,
such elegance!
Price: $54 (500ml)
Domaine Mosse Savennieres Cuvee Arena Blanc 2007
The Savennieres appellation occupies a small area (only 150 hectares) just south of the city of Angers. Some of the great wines of France are produced here. This is a sweet wine style made from Chenin Blanc. The wine contains 3.1 grams per litre of residual sugar. The alcohol level is 13.7%.
Price: $66
Domaine Mosse Vin de France Bois Rouge 2008
This
wine is produced from younger vines from the same parcels as the Anjou Rouge. It
comprises 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 75% Cabernet Franc. It is ready to drink
now, in fact at a recent tasting this wine performed in a stellar manner,
showing beautiful, soft, well-integrated tannins and a long finish. Alcohol
level is 12.5%.
Price: $24