Monday, March 13th, 2023
Dear Burgundy: "Fasten your seatbelts."

If this was a Twilight Zone episode:
"What if Montrachet was made with Sauvignon Blanc?"
CULT LOIRE LEGEND

Think of Alphonse Mellot as Saint of Sancerre
While Didier Dagueneau is Duke of Pouilly-Fume
Dear Artisans,

We're elated that our shipment has finally arrived of the most under-rated Cult Loire Valley legend: Alphonse Mellot.

This is the 19TH GENERATION of the Mellot family, making Sancerre SINCE 1513.

They have the oldest and best vineyards and focus on very low yields. Their winemaking practices and standards are what you'd find in Grand Cru Burgundy.

Sound familiar? That's because only 9 miles away, right across the river, you'll find Didier Dagueneau doing the same in Pouilly-Fume.

Think of the two as Loire's Bill Gates and Steve Jobs in the 90s, and switch silicon to grapes ;)

You'd swear the white was a Montrachet, but made with Sauvignon Blanc.

You'd also swear the red was from Anderson Valley.

Their Rose is twice as creamy as Domaines Ott.

That's how seriously rich these wines are.

  • 55 Year-Old Vines
  • Certified Organic & Biodynamic
  • Drink now, or age 10 more years

As usual, these fine wines are made in small quantities and very few cases are imported into the US. We have 36 bottles of each in the store now. Move fast—you've got to experience these!

All my best,
—James Tran
Alphonse Mellot "La Moussiere" Sancerre Blanc 2020

Founded in 1513, the current guardian of Alphonse Mellot is the 19th generation of Mellots working the family winery. The resulting style, fermented in differing sizes of wooden tanks, is pure and precise and manages to retain mouth-watering acidity even in warm vintages like 2018, 2019 and 2020.

91 Points - Decanter:
"An impressive 2021 with quite ripe, rich, mouth-filling fruit with notes of grapefruit. Currently it is a little tight in the well-balanced finish, but I expect the young 2021 will develop further in bottle. The long established Alphonse Mellot domaine, with 52ha in the Sancerre appellation, has its cellars right in the centre of the town of Sancerre. La Moussière is a more than 30ha south-facing parcel planted on Kimmeridgian marne on the left hand side of the main road to Bourges. Around 50% of La Moussière is barrel fermented. Drink between 2023-2028." -JB (3/29/22)

94 Points, Cellar Selection - Wine Enthusiast (2020 vintage):
"From dense white-chalk soil, this wine lies at the heart of this producer's range. It is a generous, full-bodied wine that is both rich and stylish. The pure white fruits and tangy acidity are impressive. Drink from 2023. Organic and biodynamic." - Roger Voss (5/1/2022)

  • 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Online Average: $42.00 btl
Elsewhere in CA: $38.00 btl

Ours:

$33.97 btl (1-5)
$31.97 btl (6-11)
$29.97 btl (12+)
Alphonse Mellot "La Moussiere" Sancerre Rose 2020

La Moussière rosé, a cuvee elaborated from Pinot Noir vines grown specifically for the purpose in the La Moussière vineyard in the heart of Sancerre. This press rosé is vinified in the same way as a white wine and has a nose that is a subtle mix of white pepper and red berries, a fine salmon-pink robe and a delicately spiced, mellow and full-bodied palate with a fresh, straight finish.

Lowest CA: $38 btl

Ours:

$33.97 btl
Alphonse Mellot "La Moussiere" Sancerre Rouge 2019

Firm and fleshy, this complex Pinot Noir is chock-full of spice and wild strawberry flavors.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The red 2019 Sancerre La Moussière Rouge is dark in color and opens with a somewhat airy, at least pretty open bouquet of red cherries and blackberries. On the palate, this is a beautifully fruity and finely tannic red with a stimulating sour cherry aroma and nice acidity and tannin complex. Although it's pretty open on the nose, this is a vital and tensioned Pinot from Sancerre. 14% stated alcohol. Diam cork. Tasted in December 2021." - Stephan Reinhardt (Jan 2022)

  • 100% Pinot Noir

Online Average: $65 btl

Ours:

$52.97 btl (1-5)
$49.97 btl (6+)
More highly-recommended French wine favorites below

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