Granite by Domaine de l'Écu

In the glass

Medium-bodiedLow tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: subtle mint, salty mineral, white flower, green apple

Palate: lemon, saline texture, stone, white peach

Single-soil Muscadet from granite parcel in Le Landreau. Markedly different from gneiss bottlings, with subtle mint and salty mineral aromas.

What it pairs with

Oysters with mignonette
Saline texture and shellfish brine align; granite mineral substitutes for shallot bite.
Steamed clams in white wine
Shellfish broth meets the wine's salty mineral; the cuvée's lift handles parsley garlic butter.
Salt-baked sea bass
Salt crust and Muscadet's saline texture lock together; the wine's mint refreshes herb stuffing.
Sushi
Tense acidity and saline texture handle delicate raw fish without overpowering soy.

History

Guy Bossard pioneered single-soil terroir Muscadets in the 1980s. Granite expresses a small parcel in Le Landreau, distinct from the estate's larger gneiss holdings. Bossard died in 2023; Fred Niger continues the project.

1992 — Estate fully biodynamic, certified by Demeter
2015 — Fred Niger acquires the property from Guy Bossard
2023 — Guy Bossard, founder, passes away on 12 May 2023

Facts

Producer: Domaine de l'Écu
Grapes: Melon de Bourgogne (100%)
Classification: Vin de France
Oak: Vinified and aged on lees in underground glass-lined vats, no oak, around 12 months
ABV: 12.0%
Price: EUR 22 to 32 at retail
Drinking window: 2-12 from vintage
First vintage: 1989
Biodynamic: Demeter Certified
Organic: DEMETER
Vegan: Yes (no animal-derived fining)

Scores

Vinous 92 (2020 vintage, reviewed 2023)

Frequently asked about Granite

What does l'Écu Granite taste like?

Subtle mint, salty mineral, white flower and green apple on the nose; lemon, saline texture, stone and white peach on the palate. Medium-bodied with high acidity and a long, saline finish.

When should I drink l'Écu Granite?

Drink between 2 and 12 years from vintage. The biodynamic farming and granite terroir give the wine textural depth that rewards 3 to 5 years in bottle.

Where is Granite grown?

A small parcel of Melon de Bourgogne planted on granite in Le Landreau, distinct from the estate's larger gneiss holdings.

Is l'Écu Granite vegan?

Yes. The estate is Demeter-certified biodynamic since 1992 and uses no animal-derived fining agents.

Granite