Alphonse Mellot : Petite Moussière 2022

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Petite Moussière 2022 by Alphonse Mellot

Tasting

Colour
This wine reveals a fairly light, luminous ruby colour, characteristic of Pinot Noir grown in a cool climate.

Nose
The nose is delicate and fragrant, driven by red fruit aromas such as cherry and raspberry, together with floral notes reminiscent of violet and peony.

Palate
The palate charms with its lightness and freshness, with fine tannins and a lively acidity that carry an elegant finish, with neither heaviness nor excessive power.

Food and wine pairings

This red Sancerre pairs elegantly with a game terrine as a starter, as well as with calf's liver enhanced with a dash of raspberry vinegar. More broadly, it goes very well with fine charcuterie and roast poultry, whose delicacy it highlights without ever overpowering it.

An elegantly refined red Sancerre from Domaine Alphonse Mellot

The estate

Founded in 1969 when the branch led by Alphonse Mellot split from that of Joseph Mellot, Domaine Alphonse Mellot is part of a family history dating back to 1513 in Sancerre, in the Loire Valley. Now run by Alphonse Mellot, representing the 19th generation, supported by his sister Emmanuelle, the estate has farmed its vineyards biodynamically since 1999. Its emblematic terroir, La Moussière, holds the "hors concours" distinction, which is unique in the Sancerre area.

The vineyard

The Pinot Noir used for this Sancerre wine comes from the upper vineyards of the Sancerre appellation, at the heart of which lies Domaine de la Moussière, a single block of more than thirty hectares enjoying a prime south-west-facing exposure at the tip of the hill. The vines grow on Kimmeridgian limestone soils, extended by marls and clay-with-flint soils, and are cultivated according to biodynamic principles, with careful soil work intended to encourage deep rooting.

Winemaking and ageing

Like all of the estate's production, the Petite Moussière 2022 is made from hand-harvested grapes transported in small crates to preserve the integrity of the fruit. The winemaking, carried out with rigour and precision, is followed by ageing in oak vessels of various sizes, from barrels to truncated conical vats, which structures the wine without masking the purity of the fruit.

Grape variety

This red Sancerre wine is made from Pinot Noir.