# Sancerre Rouge "La Demoiselle" (2019)

- **Producer:** Domaine Alphonse Mellot
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Loire, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €83
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, blackcurrant, black pepper, herbaceous, violet, vanilla, cedar, charred wood, smoke, cloves, leather, tobacco, game, forest floor, cinnamon

## About this wine

The Mellot family has an unparalleled history in Sancerre, with winemaking roots tracing back to 1513, spanning over 500 years and 19 generations. This legacy is continued by Alphonse Mellot Jr. and his sister Emmanuelle, leading a domain renowned as the "King of Sancerre." The "La Demoiselle" cuvée is a unique expression of Pinot Noir from a tiny, 1.20-hectare plot on the eastern peak of the Sancerre hill. Unlike typical Sancerre reds from limestone soils, this wine is planted on deep flinty clay formations, a rare terroir for Pinot Noir that imparts a distinctive smoky, mineral, and spicy complexity. The vines, planted in 1951, yield exceptionally low quantities, contributing to the wine's concentration and rarity. Certified Organic and Biodynamic, Domaine Alphonse Mellot embodies a commitment to traditional, high-quality viticulture.

## Interesting facts

- The Mellot family has been making wine in Sancerre since 1513, making them one of the oldest winemaking families in France.
- This Sancerre Rouge is made from Pinot Noir grown on dense flint soils, a rare terroir for the grape that imparts unique smoky and mineral notes.
- The "La Demoiselle" vineyard is only 1.20 hectares and planted with vines averaging over 70 years old.
- The domain is certified Organic and Biodynamic by BIODYVIN and Ecocert France.

## Food pairing

This Sancerre Rouge, with its pronounced intensity, medium-plus to high acidity, and silky yet firm tannins, is a gastronomic wine designed to complement rich, complex dishes. The flinty terroir lends smoky, mineral, and peppery notes that harmonize beautifully with game, roasted meats, and earthy ingredients like mushrooms and root vegetables. Its structure can stand up to robust flavors and sauces, while its inherent freshness cuts through richness, making it versatile for both savory meat preparations and certain pungent cheeses.

## Wine making process

The 2019 Sancerre Rouge "La Demoiselle" is crafted from 100% Pinot Noir grown on a unique flinty clay terroir. Grapes are hand-harvested into small crates and undergo a rigorous double-sorting process. After destemming, the grapes are gravity-fed into open-topped, truncated-conical wooden vats for fermentation with natural yeasts. Maceration includes a cold soak for 8-12 days, followed by gentle extraction through light punch-downs and pump-overs, with fermentation temperatures controlled below 28°C. Total cuvaison averages four weeks. After pressing with a vertical basket press, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation. Aging lasts 12-14 months, primarily in 80-100% new French oak barrels, with some technical sheets indicating a portion aged in wood vats followed by tank integration. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered or with minimal filtration, respecting the lunar calendar.