Moulin Touchais Coteaux du Layon 1996

On the banks of the river Layon that threads its way through the gently rolling hills of the Loire Valley exists one of the world's largest and oldest single wine stocks. Miles of underground cellars contain a rare collection dating back to the 1800s. Remarkable bottles are occasionally uncorked, (many over one hundred years old) and more often than not the experience is incredible: the wines remain undiminished with the passing of a century, instead, they possess a vitality and elegance that is completely unexpected. These are the sweet Chenin Blanc wines from Moulin Touchais, a legendary Loire Estate in the heart of the Coteaux du Layon.
This is a unique opportunity to secure these breath-taking sweet whites at affordable prices

Since 1787, the Moulin Touchais cellars and surrounding vineyards have essentially remained unchanged. Owned and managed by eight generations of the Touchais family, they make only one wine with a staunchly traditionalist approach - low-yields, careful harvesting and meticulous winemaking, particularly during pressing and the long fermentation period. However, the real secret behind their longevity and charming complexity results from a unique harvesting strategy. 20% of the grapes are picked around eighty days after flowering while the fruit is still under ripe and loaded with acid. The other 80% is harvested late (around one hundred & twenty days after flowering) generally yielding fruit with very high sugar levels and concentrated favours (the wines are not influenced by botrytis). The overall fruit/sugar/acid balance are factors ultimately determining Moulin Touchais' house style. The third factor is time.
Whichever vintage you choose - several are classics - each promises an alluring amalgam of luxurious favours, youthful freshness, texture akin to melted butter and an almost endless complexity that unfolds as the wines open up in the glass.

The wines are released after ten years in the cellar with some just beginning to reach their peak after twenty years. Many of the great vintages such as the 1953, 1959 and 1969 are still maturing, so it's reassuring to learn that Moulin Touchais are also the only winemakers in the world who give a century long guarantee on the longevity of their wines (subject to being kept under optimal cellar conditions). 

All vintages are very limited. Be quick!