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Sweet sweet
True collector's gem and one of the most remarkable examples of longevity in the world of sweet wines. This 1996 vintage, recognized as exceptionally successful and well-balanced, features an incredible harmony between honeyed sweetness and vibrant acidity, making it highly prized by professional sommeliers and mature wine enthusiasts alike.
The bouquet is complex and multi-layered, revealing notes of dried apricots, peaches, quince jam, and linden honey, complemented by mature characteristics of saffron, raisins, beeswax, and subtle hints of exotic fruits like mango and pineapple. On the palate, the wine surprises with its concentration and velvety weight, dominated by flavors of candied fruits, honey, and light nutty accents. The characteristic high acidity of the Chenin Blanc grape provides a refreshing lift, leading to a long, elegant, and mineral finish.
The wine is crafted from 100% Chenin Blanc grapes grown in the ancient vineyards of the Loire Valley, France. Its unique character stems from the distinctive Moulin Touchais winemaking philosophy, where the harvest is carried out in stages: approximately one-fifth of the grapes are picked early to preserve natural acidity, while the remainder is left to overripen or develop noble rot. Before being released to the market, the wine is aged in the estate's cellars for at least 10 years, ensuring it reaches you at a beautiful stage of maturity, though its exceptional structure gives it the potential to evolve for another 20–30 years.
Serving: Recommended to be served at 8–10 °C. It pairs perfectly with mature blue cheeses (such as Roquefort), foie gras, apricot-based desserts, or as a refined meditation wine after dinner.
It is recommended to serve at a temperature of 8–10 °C, paired with blue cheese, foie gras, or fruit-based desserts.
Moulin Touchais – A Legend of Coteaux du Layon and Master of Chenin Blanc
Moulin Touchais is one of the oldest and most respected wineries in the Loire Valley. The estate was founded in 1787 in Doué-la-Fontaine, in the Anjou region, and has been owned by the Touchais family for more than eight generations. It is a true example of tradition and longevity. The winery is renowned for its exceptionally long-aged sweet Coteaux du Layon wines made from Chenin Blanc grapes.
Moulin Touchais wines are aged for a minimum of 10 years in underground cellars before being released to the market, while the best vintages can age gracefully for 30–50+ years. This philosophy allows the wines to achieve remarkable harmony, complexity, and incredible freshness even after several decades.
Terroir and Vineyards
The vineyards are situated on the best slopes of Coteaux du Layon (in Tigné, Martigné-Briand, and Maligné areas) on clay-limestone soils. The autumn microclimate, with morning mist and sunny afternoons, creates ideal conditions for the development of noble rot (Botrytis cinerea). The winery works exclusively with selected plots and follows sustainable viticulture practices.
Winemaking Style
Moulin Touchais produces classic, elegant, and extremely long-ageing sweet Chenin Blanc wines. They are distinguished by a perfect balance between acidity and sweetness, along with rich notes of dried fruits, honey, nuts, and minerality. These wines pair beautifully not only with desserts but also with foie gras, blue cheeses, or as a meditative wine.
It is one of the few wineries in the world able to offer such an extensive collection of old vintages, perfectly illustrating the legendary longevity of Chenin Blanc and the greatness of Loire Valley terroir.
