Alphonse Mellot - Les Pénitents Chardonnay 2017
Loire
White
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A deep yellow cuvée made from Chardonnay vines grown on south-facing limestone soils. Its expressive nose reveals a beautiful aromatic intensity with scents of citrus and exotic fruit. Fine and well-balanced, the palate delivers lemony notes to end on a greedy, persistent finish. We're asking for more!
Features
Estate
Alphonse Mellot - La Moussière
Cuvée
Les Pénitents Chardonnay
Vintage
2017
Designation
IGP Côtes de la Charité
Region
Loire
Grape varieties
100% Chardonnay
Terroirs
South-facing entrobic limestone soils
Viticulture
Certified organic and biodynamic
Harvest
Manual in small cases
Winemaking
Traditional
Breeding
12 months, 1/3 in wooden vats, 1/3 in 600-litre barrels and 1/3 in concrete vats, then 4 months in blends
Organic
Yes
Tasting & pairing
Eye
Deep yellow with golden highlights
Nose
Expressive, with intense aromas of citrus and exotic fruit.
Mouth
Fine and balanced with lemony notes and a long, gourmet finish
Serve
At 10-12°C as an aperitif or for tasting and 12-14°C with food.
Open
1/4 hour before
Drink before
2024
Food and wine pairing
Enjoy as an aperitif or with oysters, white meats, fish or dry goat's cheese...
Alphonse Mellot - La Moussière
IGP Côtes de la Charité
Expert opinion
Bettane & Desseauve
Domaine rated (2024 guide) 5*Stars (Outstanding producers, those who represent the absolute pinnacle of quality in France and the world)
About the domain :
Skillful winemaker Alphonse Mellot delivers a fascinating reading of Sancerre, with parcel-based cuvées that detail each terroir. The age of the vines, averaging 75 years, enables him to offer an impeccable range, the first step of which - the cuvée domaine - is already at the highest level. 18 hectares of IGP La Côte de la Charité also bear witness to his mastery of Chardonnay. We salute the work and inspiration of this tireless enthusiast, crowning more than 30 years of research and intransigence.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Domain rated Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
About the domain :
Alphonse Mellot junior, the 19th generation of Sancerre's flagship domaine, owns 53 hectares of biodynamically farmed vines and offers a range of remarkably clear, elegant and refined single-vineyard Sancerre wines. Several of these wines - Edmond, Les Romains and Génération Dix-Neuf - are remarkable for their concentration, precision and expression. This year, I've broadened my notes a little, as I really felt differences in complexity between the wines, rather than just differences in style. Pinot noir enthusiasts should try Les Herses 2014.
Vinous A. Galloni
Domain Rated Recommended
About the domain :
Founded in 1513, current estate keeper Alphonse Mellot is the 19th generation to run the family winery. The estate is located in the center of the village and boasts an extensive network of cellars. With 56 hectares of vineyards, Mellot produces Sancerre for supermarkets (the La Moussière cuvée, made from young vines, is stocked at Sainsbury's in the UK, for example) as well as top-level cuvées made from old vines, such as Cuvée Edmond, whose fruit comes from a 6-hectare plot of old vines within the 38-hectare La Moussière vineyard. The resulting style, fermented in wooden vats of varying sizes, is pure and precise, and manages to retain mouth-watering acidity even in hot vintages like 2018, 2019 and 2020. The flagship cuvée, Génération XIX, comes from a one-hectare parcel in La Moussière where the vines are on average almost 90 years old. Handled delicately, it is fermented in 900-liter vats, resulting in an exceptional, seductive Sauvignon with intense purity and a structure that will allow it to age gracefully. The estate also produces Pinot Noir: La Demoiselle comes from a rare flint terroir that gives it a smoky, spicy, firm style, while the limestone soils of the Le Paradis vineyard, which contributes to Génération XIX rouge, offer a more seductive elegance, while the clay portion of Chambrates offers softness and ease. Nor does Pinot skimp on quality oak. An early adopter of biodynamic viticulture, the estate has been certified since 1999.
Customer reviews
Customer rating
3.6/5
on 8 reviews
Note and review by M. LUC S. Published on 03/04/2023
Very good after aeration. Viney and fruity at the same time.
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Note and review by Mme VALERIE B. Published on 09/06/2022
When it comes to penance, we've done worse!
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Note and review by Mme JEANNE M. Published on 25/03/2024
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Note and review by M. STEPHANE C. Published on 06/03/2023
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Note and review by M. FRANCOISE L. Published on 04/10/2022
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Note and review by M. JOSE PASCAL V. Published on 05/05/2022
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Note and review by M. MICKAEL P. Published on 05/02/2022
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Note and review by M. FLORIAN H. Published on 31/12/2021
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