Sancerre "La Moussière," Alphonse Mellot - 2021

The Mellots are proud of their history. The family name is mentioned in archives dating back to 1513; one assumes they are as much a part of Sancerre as the terres blanches that make the region so famous for its Sauvignon Blanc. In this bottle you have an example of how family history, well-placed vineyards, and integrity in the cellar come together to create a cerebral and noteworthy Sancerre. Mellot considers them “works of art,” inspired by the same savoir-faire that goes into a transcendental concerto. Their 30+ hectares are fully bathed in sunshine, leading to ripe citrus notes on the nose. The wine’s rounded minerality speaks of the unique shale soils and Kimmeridgian subsoils, where the roots nestle. 50% of the wine is fermented in truncated vat to allow for a mildly oxidative style of Sauvignon, with the rest fermented in new barrique and matured on its lees for seven to eight months. Pair with mushroom omelette, trout in white wine sauce, gougères, or the region’s Crottin Chavignol.