Domaine Pellé - Menetou-Salon Vignes de Ratier 2023

The Pellé family has deep roots in the Menetou-Salon appellation, and their work in both the vineyard and the winery is impressive. Since 2006, Paul-Henri has been breathing new life into this family-run estate, which continues to improve in quality. The emphasis on single-vineyard wines and the mastery of oak aging—increasingly using large vessels such as foudres and tanks—contribute to the estate’s excellence, which has been further elevated by its certification as an organic farm since 2021.

As for the Sauvignon Blanc, nature was very generous in 2023, bestowing natural suppleness and fluidity. Each terroir remains well-defined, with the Vignes de Ratier’s crispness and dry finish evoking the Kimmeridgian marl.

Paul-Henry Pellé, Anne’s son, oversees the vineyard and winemaking: this meticulous winemaker, who is constantly refining soil management and aging techniques, is fully committed to achieving optimal ripeness and a diverse expression of the terroirs. Meticulous winemaking yields crisp, refreshing whites (Morogues), as well as deeper wines that reflect the uniqueness of each terroir: Le Carroir (old vines on flint), Vignes de Ratier (sun-drenched Kimmeridgian marl), Les Blanchais (northeast-facing Kimmeridgian marl). Well-structured, the reds can vary somewhat in character.