Joseph Mellot : La Grande Châtelaine 2023

## Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the "La Grande Châtelaine" 2023 by Joseph Mellot **Tasting notes** *Appearance*
The colour reveals a lovely yellow hue adorned with bright golden highlights. *Nose*
Rich and expressive, the nose exudes enticing aromas of yellow fruit, such as peach and mirabelle plum. This fruity backbone is enriched by delicate notes of vanilla and toast, all underscored by a mineral character reminiscent of flint. *Palate*
Full-bodied and powerful, the palate seduces with its elegance and structured texture. It unfolds a broad aromatic palette blending yellow fruit with the toasty nuances of ageing. The whole is perfectly balanced by a pleasant mineral freshness that carries the wine through to a long, lingering finish. **Food and wine pairings** This white wine pairs beautifully with seafood, such as scallop carpaccio, shellfish or grilled fish. It also enhances goat's cheese, particularly served in a thin tart, as well as creamy cheeses or the sauce-based dishes typical of Loire Valley cuisine, such as pike-perch with beurre blanc. **Serving and cellaring** To fully appreciate the complexity of the "La Grande Châtelaine" 2023, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature of between 10 and 12°C. ## The elegance of a white Sancerre from caillottes terroir **The estate** Established in Sancerre in the Loire Valley, the Joseph Mellot House traces its origins back to 1513 with the winegrower Pierre-Étienne Mellot. Historically renowned, the family notably counted César Mellot among the wine advisors to Louis XIV. Now run by Catherine Corbeau-Mellot, supported by her sons Armand and Adrien, the estate stands out for its unique presence across all eight appellations of the Centre-Loire. A pioneer in environmental responsibility, the estate combines tradition and modernity through demanding environmental certifications, producing structured wines that shine on the finest international tables. **The vineyard** Hailing from the Sancerre appellation, this cuvée comes from a small selection of plots covering 2.4 hectares. The vines, aged 35 years, thrive on a terroir typical of caillottes, made up of very stony clay-limestone soils renowned for lending precision and minerality. The vineyard is managed according to the principles of sustainable farming, holding High Environmental Value (HVE) certification, favouring mechanical soil work to preserve the structure of the land and its biodiversity. **The vintage** 2023 was marked by particularly contrasting weather conditions. After a cool, rainy winter, spring brought its share of frost, heat and rainfall. Summer proved dry, punctuated by heatwaves, before giving way to a very warm and sunny autumn. These weather conditions allowed the grapes to reach optimal ripeness by the time of harvest in mid-September. **Winemaking and ageing** Following mechanical harvesting, the grapes for the "La Grande Châtelaine" 2023 cuvée undergo direct pneumatic pressing accompanied by a rigorous selection of the juice. Cold settling is then carried out to clarify the must while preserving its aromatic potential. Fermentation takes place entirely in fine-grained oak barrels sourced from regional forests, lending subtle complexity and fine structure to this white Sancerre wine. **Grape variety** 100% Sauvignon Blanc.