So, what's this Patapon anyway?

[Robin Garr]

We opened a wacky Loire red last night: Choussard 2008 Patapon Vin de Table. I assume it's Pineau d'Aunis, but while Dressner's site incidates that the wine is Coteaux-du-Loir AOC, this vintage is labeled Vin de Table with no varietal information. I assume the tiny "Vigneron non conformée" under the clown face on the label has something to do with this.

Anyone familiar with the wine? It was pretty good stuff, although not a cheapie at $25 (Chambers Street).

I have a bottle, but haven't tried yet. Gilman's note on 06 below

By John Gilman
View From the Cellar, Jul/Aug 2008, Issue #16, The Loire Valley Still in Full Bloom
(Patapon- Natalie and Christian Chaussard) The Patapon cuvée from Natalie and Christian Chaussard is a carbonically macerated pinot d’aunis that is designed for early drinking, and the wine has turned out very nicely in 2006. The nose is a pretty and deep blend of dark berries, woodsmoke, herb tones, espresso and a touch of tree bark in the upper register. On the palate the wine is fullish, deep and fairly complex, with modest tannins and good length and grip on the substantial and tangy finish. My only modest complaint I have with this wine is it is not quite as precise and pure as some of the best examples of pinot d’aunis that I tasted in preparation for this article, and that keeps the score down just a tad. (Drink between 2008-2015) 87 points