Wine for sale: Alphonse Mellot
WINERY OF THE WEEK
Alphonse Mellot
A domaine that sits at the top of the Sancerre appellation thanks to the Mellot family’s masterful skills both in the vineyard (biodynamic) and the winery. These are red and white wines that reflect the true expression of the Sancerre terroirs. Elegant, crystalline, aerial and fresh, they are a marvel to taste.
Alphonse Mellot
The Mellot family arrived in Sancerre in 1513 and since that time there have been eighteen generations producing wine from father to son - and all named Alphonse! As well as this extraordinary family background, it was of course the wines, both their whites and reds, which attracted our attention. These Sancerre wines bear no comparison with the rest of the appellation. Furthermore, these are the only Sancerre wines that bear the words ""hors concours"" (unrivalled). Alphonse Senior (the 18th Alphonse) has now made way for Alphonse Junior and his daughter Emmanuelle. For almost ten years, the two young winemakers have been asserting their approach. The way the vines are worked is quite simply exceptional: biodynamic, without any synthetic inputs and the plants are maintained by hand. Whenever asked to talk about their work, Alphonse and Emmanuelle like to quote from the French classic Le Petit Prince: “One only understands the things that one tames”. And indeed, vintage after vintage, the two brothers and sister continue to tame their terroirs. The wines are produced here with great craftsmanship, as if they were a work of art. One of the very finest Sancerre domaines - producing wines which have to be tried!
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY...
BETTANE & DESSEAUVE
"This 30-hectare domaine in Sancerre has reached the summit of its appellation, and with good reason. Extremely low yields, great attention to detail and an almost unhealthy obsession to the cause…this domaine works tirelessly but the outcome is top quality wine”.
LA REVUE DU VIN DE FRANCE
“Alphonse Mellot Junior has taken this domaine to the top and belongs amongst the highest level of winegrowers. The lowest yields possible and perfectly ripe grapes give his cuvées a rare precision. Both the reds and the whites are delineated by their vineyard in a way that makes them the most accomplished expressions of Sancerre today.”