Jean Baptiste Hardy, making beautiful wines in Muscadet
As well as doing several vintages overseas, Jean Baptiste Hardy spent some time working with Jean-Marc Roulot in Meursault. In 2018 he returned to his family estate in Muscadet, in Mouzillon, and began farming the old-vine Melon de Bourgogne vines organically.
Winemaking is best described as modern traditional, and low intervention, with most of the ferments in lined underground concrete tanks, and use of eggs, old barrels and amphorae for élevage for some cuvées.
These are brilliant wines. UK agent is Keeling Andrew.
Jean Baptiste Hardy Éclats 2023 Loire, France
This is from 3 plots of 30 year old Melon vines, fermented and aged in undergound concrete tanks for 18 months. Fine and appley with elegant pear and citrus fruit. Such balance with tapering acidity, and a sense of finesse. 94/100
Jean Baptiste Hardy Fief de Chaintre 2023 Loire, France
Single-vineyard, massale selection, aged in a 400 litre barrel, amphorae and concrete eggs, then after a year transferred back to concrete for 6 months. North-facing plot, gabbro soils. Concentrated, fine and linear with lovely precision and weight. This textured wine has brightness but also balance. 94/100
Jean Baptiste Hardy Clos de Lozangère 2023 Loire, France
1960 planted vineyard, sand and gabbro soils. Supple with nice concentration, yet still delicate. Notes of pear and green apple. Textural and mineral with lovely finesse, showing nice purity and delicacy. 94/100
Jean Baptiste Hardy L’Aubier 2023 Loire, France
This is Chardonnay, made in barrels and amphora, and then goes to concrete tanks with the lees to finish off. Mineral and fine with lovely tension. It has pear and peach richness but really nice delicacy and focus, with real precision and balance. Fine and long. 95/100
Jean Baptiste Hardy Le Petit Clos 2023 Loire, France
This is Gamay made with a millefeuille of whole cluster and destemmed fruit, layered, and then fermented with an infusion rather than an extraction approach. Very fine, pure and herby with pure red cherry and redcurrant fruit, and some nice grippy structure. Pure and floral with amazing precision, finishing bright with some nice green hints. 94/100
Jean Baptiste Hardy Ponceau 2022 Loire, France
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, destemmed. Vibrant cherries and raspberries with nice grip. Pure and energetic, ripe but fresh. Linear. 93/100
