Note: RVF 16.5/20
This La Demoiselle cuvée comes from a small plot of Pinot Noir covering just over one hectare, planted on flinty clay soil, which gives the grape variety a very distinctive character, yielding characteristic aromas of black cherry and kirsch, accompanied by peppery notes reminiscent of the Côte Rôtie. A fine bottle...
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Eye
A beautiful, deep ruby color
Nose
distinctly regional, with notes of smokiness and kirsch-flavored cherries
Palate
beautiful roundness accompanied by extremely silky tannins
Serve
14–16°C for sipping on its own, and 14–18°C when paired with food
Open
1 hour before serving
Drink from
2010
High point
2012
Drink before
2017
Production
about 3,000 bottles
Food and wine pairings
Enjoy it with poached eggs in a wine-based sauce with porcini mushrooms, spiced wild duck, or pears with cinnamon...
Bettane & Desseauve
Rated estate (2026 guide): 5* Stars (Exceptional producers who represent the absolute pinnacle of quality in France and around the world)
About the estate:
A skilled winemaker, Alphonse Mellot offers a fascinating interpretation of Sancerre, with single-vineyard wines that showcase the nuances of each terroir. The average age of his vines—75 years—enables him to produce an impeccable range, the entry-level wine of which—the estate cuvée—is already of the highest caliber. Eighteen hectares in the IGP La Côte de la Charité also attest to his mastery of Chardonnay. We salute the work and inspiration of this tireless enthusiast, crowning over 30 years of research and uncompromising dedication.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Estate rated "Recommended" (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
About the estate:
Alphonse Mellot Jr., the 19th generation at Sancerre’s flagship estate, owns 53 hectares of vineyards cultivated using biodynamic methods and offers a range of single-varietal Sancerres that are remarkably clear, elegant, and refined. Several of these wines—Edmond, Les Romains, and Génération Dix-Neuf—are remarkable for their concentration, precision, and expression. This year, I’ve expanded my notes a bit, as I truly sensed differences in complexity among the wines, rather than mere differences in style. Pinot Noir enthusiasts should try Les Herses 2014.
Vinous
Rated: Recommended
About the estate:
Founded in 1513, the estate’s current owner, Alphonse Mellot, is the 19th generation to run the family winery. The estate is located in the center of the village and features an extensive network of cellars. With 56 hectares of vineyards, Mellot produces Sancerre for supermarkets (the La Moussière cuvée, made from young vines, is stocked at Sainsbury’s in the United Kingdom, for example) as well as high-end cuvées made from old vines, such as the Cuvée Edmond, whose grapes come from a 6-hectare plot of old vines within the 38-hectare La Moussière vineyard. The resulting style, fermented in wooden vats of various sizes, is pure and precise and manages to retain an enticing acidity even in hot vintages such as 2018, 2019, and 2020. The flagship cuvée, Génération XIX, comes from a one-hectare plot at La Moussière where the vines average nearly 90 years of age. Handled with care, it is fermented in 900-liter vats, resulting in an exceptional and alluring Sauvignon Blanc of intense purity and with a structure that will allow it to age gracefully. The estate also produces Pinot Noir: La Demoiselle comes from a rare flint-based terroir that gives it a smoky, spicy, and firm style, while the limestone soils of the Le Paradis vineyard—which contributes to the red Génération XIX—offer a more seductive elegance, and the clay-rich section of Chambrates provides softness and ease. The Pinot Noir wines also make full use of high-quality oak. Having adopted biodynamics very early on, the estate has been certified since 1999.
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