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Sweet sweet
This is a Coteaux du Layon of remarkable maturity and elegance, showcasing one of Moulin Touchais’ greatest strengths: the ability to craft sweet wines that not only retain their vitality for decades but also continue to reveal new layers of complexity over time. The 1998 vintage in the Loire Valley benefited from favourable conditions for late ripening, allowing for an exceptional balance between sugar concentration and acidity. Today, the wine displays a beautifully mature personality while still preserving the energy and structure that define great ‘Chenin Blanc’ wines.
The bouquet opens with aromas of dried apricot, quince jelly, orange marmalade, and acacia honey, complemented by notes of beeswax, toasted hazelnuts, dried flowers, and subtle exotic spices. The tertiary aromas developed through extended ageing add depth and refinement. On the palate, the wine is rich and silky in texture, yet supported by a vibrant backbone of acidity that brings freshness and precision. Flavours of ripe fruits, honey, and candied citrus peel intertwine with mineral nuances, leading to a long, elegant, and harmonious finish.
The wine is produced from hand-harvested ‘Chenin Blanc’ grapes picked in several passes through the vineyard to capture different levels of ripeness. Moulin Touchais traditionally combines earlier and later harvests to achieve a balance between freshness, acidity, and concentration. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, preserving the purity and aromatic precision of the variety.
Today, the 1998 vintage beautifully demonstrates why Moulin Touchais is considered one of the world’s most age-worthy producers of sweet wines. Over more than two decades, the wine has developed remarkable aromatic complexity and textural depth while maintaining its balance and freshness. It is currently at a magnificent stage of harmony, yet still possesses the potential to continue evolving and rewarding careful cellaring for many years to come.
Best served at 10–12°C. An excellent match for foie gras, blue cheeses, apple or apricot-based desserts, as well as aged hard cheeses.
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.
