Joseph Mellot Sancerre La Grande Chatelaine

Description

Joseph Mellot Sancerre La Grande Chatelaine is a Cuvée Prestige, a fantastic barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc. It is the estate’s top white wine.

Domain Joseph Mellot was established in 1513 by Pierre Etienne Mellot and remains in the Mellot family to this day. The estate is currently under the stewardship of Catherine Corbeau Mellot who found herself in the role after the tragic death of her husband, Alexandre Mellot, in 2005. Domaine Joseph Mellot is one of the most historic wine companies in the Loire, certainly one of the most prestigious and has been key in developing vino-tourism in the region. As well as vineyards in Sancerre, they also have vineyards in Quincy, Reuilly, Pouilly Fume and Menetou Salon amongst others.

The Sauvignon Blanc grapes for Joseph Mellot Sancerre La Grande Chatelaine come from the estate’s oldest vines which are planted on pebbly clay-limestone slopes which are known as “caillottes”. After hand-harvesting and careful selection the grapes are gently and slowly pressed and the juice is cold settled. The juice is barrel-fermented in French oak, 30% of which is new, at the Mellot’s historic cellars in the centre of the village of Sancerre itself. The fermentation last between 2 and 7 months and the wine is aged a further 20 months prior to release. Barrel-fermentation and ageing lends fantastic oaky, vanilla character to the wine without being overbearing.

Joseph Mellot was the first domain in the Central Loire Valley to obtain ISO 14001 certification and BRC A accreditation. Today all of its vineyards are cultivated according to the principles of sustainable agriculture.

This wine is suitable or vegetarians and vegans.