Alphonse Mellot Sancerre La Moussiere 2020

Loire, France Decanter 92 points! Wine Advocate 90 points! Wine Enthusiast 93 points! Alphonse Mellot Sancerre La Moussiere is a white wine gem from the Loire Valley of France made of 100% Sauvignon Blanc. It is a beautiful example of the appellation, showing minerality and restrained fruit, making it an ideal food-friendly white wine. In 2013, this historic estate celebrated its 500th anniversary – 19 successive generations of winegrowers in the Mellot family. Today Alphonse Jr. is in total charge, having taken over the reins from his father Alphonse Sr. fully fifteen years ago. The property, known as La Moussiere, is now at the height of quality for white wines world-wide. All farming is organic and certified biodynamic, with an elite team in the vineyards focused on low yields and ideal ripeness. Their Sauvignons have acquired a rare precision and each parcel is well-defined, perhaps even more so with the reds. It is the only three-star grower in Sancerre – la Revue du Vin de France; only five-star Sancerre in Bettane + Desseauve. “Alphonse Mellot is based in the heart of the town of Sancerre. La Moussière is a large parcel of vines planted on marls overlaying Kimmeridgian limestone to the west of the town. The domaine is certified both organic and biodynamic. Grapes are hand-picked and 50% is vinified in new barrels and the rest in vats. Wine is matured on fine lees for 7-8 months. The 2020 is a very rich, ripe, powerful and complex with a long finish. Still young with considerable potential to age. Pair with rich fish dishes. Drinking Window 2022 - 2030.”—Decanter 92 points! “The 2020 Sancerre La Moussière opens clear, intense and elegant on the nose, with fully ripe, yellow-fleshed stone fruit aromas (mango, peach) intertwined with refreshing phenolic and also algae notes. Full-bodied, intense and powerful on the palate, this is a mighty but elegant and finely refreshing Sancerre from Kimmeridigian marls. The finish is stimulatingly pure, fresh and saline. 14.5% stated alcohol. Diam cork. Tasted in January 2022.”—Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate, 90 points! Enjoy Alphonse Mellot Sancerre La Moussiere over the next 4-5 years with grilled salmon, fried oysters, sushi, chicken salad and goat cheese.