France

Jean-Baptiste Hardy is a former winemaking student of Meursault master Jean-Marc Roulot and now makes his own thrilling terroir-driven white wines in Muscadet.In 2018 he took over his family's estate in Mouzillon – one of nine Cru Communaux in Muscadet Sèvre et Maine – and has since introduced organic farming to the 4ha of old vine Melon de Bourgogne.Harvested by hand and pressed at low pressure, his ambitious wines are vinified for 12 months on the lees in traditional glass-lined underground tanks before bottling without fining or filtration.As Muscadets, Jean-Baptiste's two cuvées show remarkable textural richness, as well as detailed, stony minerality; with single-plot bottlings expressing the region's unique 'gabbro' (black granite) soils from different perspectives. 'Fief de Chaintre', from a north-facing site, is taut and saline with bright apple, citrus, and earthy notes. 'Clos de Lozangère', which spends 12 months in barrel, combines ripe fruit from its southerly exposure, with smoke and oyster shell nuances and a luxurious, creamy texture.

Jean-Baptiste Hardy

Wines

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