Château-Thébaud is one of ten Muscadet villages classified as Crus Communaux, a designation seeking to define the specific places in the region that stand out for unique soil types and microclimates, producing wines of identity. The regulations for these Crus cap yields at 45hl/ha, and mandate a minimum of 24 months of aging on the lees. Chéreau Carré produces a wine from four of the Crus Communaux, each made from grapes that exhibit the distinct characteristics of the Cru that dictate Louise’s vinification choices henceforth.
Château-Thébaud is the smallest of the Muscadet Crus Communaux, encompassing an area on both sides of the Maine up to the confluence with the Sèvre. Their vineyard here is named for the castle of La Turmelière, an old property that houses winemaking facilities. The Chéreau family has farmed this plot since 2015. “L’Orée” means “the edge,” specifically referring to the boundary of a woods. Melon de bourgogne vines are planted in this idyllic setting, overlooking the Maine river, on a unique subsoil of granodiorite and gneiss. Known as Château-Thébaud granite, granodiorite is a plutonic rock formed by the crystallization of magma below the surface of the earth. It has a grainy texture similar to granite, although it is darker in appearance, containing quartz, plagioclase feldspar, and mica. To the south, the appellation is separated by the Sillon de Bretagne from the Clisson cru; to the north, the river Maine provides a natural border with the Monnières-Saint-Fiacre cru.
Vinification
After hand-harvesting, alcoholic fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. After fermentation, the wine ages on the lees for 43 months underground in cement tanks before bottling. Wines further age in bottle at the winery for two-to-five years before being released, at the Chéreau’s discretion. Château-Thébaud, like all the Chéreau Carré Crus Communaux wines, is only made in the best vintages.
Region
Loire Valley
Appellation
Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine
Cru Communaux
Château-Thébaud
Site
L’Orée du Château la Turmelière
Grapes
100% Melon de Bourgogne
Vine Age
20-30 years old
Soil
Decomposed granodiorite
Fermentation
Spontaneously fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks
Aging
The 2022 vintage spent 43 months on the lees in underground cement vats, followed by two to five years in bottle
Farming
Ecologic
Vegan
Yes
ABV
13%
Pack Size
12x750mL