Domaine La Croix Mélier - Montlouis sur Loire Les Outardes 2019 (demi-sec)

Aged for 9 months in barrels, this wine—named in honor of the migratory birds that sometimes nest on the vineyard—boasts a deep straw-yellow color and impeccable clarity. The expressive nose evokes peach and quince, with floral aromas and some more herbal notes. The palate, long and balanced, offers a range of exotic fruits leading to a citrus-driven finish. True to the appellation, this off-dry wine came very close to being a favorite.

After studying at the “Viti” in Beaune and spending two years at La Croix Mélier while continuing to work intermittently as an actor, Philippe Ivancic took over in 2017 from Pascal Berthelot and his 12.5 hectares of vineyards (certified organic since 2022), which he cultivates with his wife, Dominique.

Montlouis-sur-Loire is the land that gives rise to fascinating Chenin wines in all their forms—sparkling, dry, delicate, or sweet. It is here that Philippe Weiss and Dominique Ivancic, who switched careers to become winemakers, chose to launch their venture. He was an actor in Paris; she was a microcredit development officer. After training at the Beaune wine school, they settled in Montlouis in 2017, a year marked by a devastating frost. But the couple kept the faith and, with great enthusiasm, determination, and hard work, converted the vineyards to organic farming. From the moment they arrived, they have produced honest, straightforward whites—whose rough edges contribute to their charm—with a freedom of expression that is anything but decadent.