Alphonse Mellot : Les Pénitents Chardonnay 2017

Tasting Notes and Serving Suggestions for Les Pénitents Chardonnay 2017 by Alphonse Mellot

Tasting

Appearance

This wine displays a deep yellow hue with golden highlights.

Nose

The nose is intensely expressive, unveiling aromas of citrus and exotic fruits, underpinned by a lovely mineral character.

Palate

The palate is fine and balanced, driven by lemony notes and a refreshing minerality. Remarkably long and indulgent, the finish leaves a lingering impression.

Food and Wine Pairings

Les Pénitents Chardonnay pairs perfectly with oysters, shellfish, or delicate fish such as monkfish in coconut milk. It also elegantly complements poultry in a cream and mushroom sauce, as well as dry goat cheeses such as Crottin de Chavignol.

Serving and Cellaring

Les Pénitents Chardonnay 2017 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 14°C. Letting it aerate for around fifteen minutes before serving allows the wine to fully reveal its aromatic complexity. This wine can be enjoyed through at least 2028.

An outstanding Loire Chardonnay by Alphonse Mellot

The Estate

In the early 19th century, Alphonse Mellot established the family estate in Sancerre, which has since been passed down from father to son.

As early as the 16th century, local archives mention the Mellot family as renowned winegrowers and wine merchants. As an aside, in 1698, King Louis XIV chose César Mellot as his viticultural advisor.

The eldest of each generation bears the founder’s first name. This is why, even today, Alphonse Mellot father and son carry on this winemaking tradition and produce high-quality Sancerre wines from a single, contiguous vineyard of more than 30 hectares.

The Vineyard

Located just thirty-five kilometers from the estate’s Sancerre base, the Les Pénitents vineyard holds the IGP Côtes de la Charité designation. The vines, aged twelve to sixteen years at harvest, are rooted in clay-limestone soils with entroques, facing due south. This limestone terroir, comparable to that of great Burgundy sites, has a remarkable history: Cluniac monks were already cultivating vines there as early as the 12th century. The name of the cuvée refers to the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) that crosses the vineyard.

The Vintage

After a mild winter, 2017 saw many climatic contrasts. A cool spring was followed by a prolonged warm spell from mid-May to mid-August, marked by exceptional sunshine and periods of drought. These conditions favored optimal ripening, yielding concentrated, well-balanced fruit.

Winemaking and Aging

The grapes are hand-harvested into small crates, then pneumatically pressed. Fermentation is split into three equal parts: one-third in wooden vats, one-third in 600-liter barrels, and one-third in concrete tanks. This three-part approach preserves the fruit’s freshness while adding complexity. This Loire wine is then aged on fine lees for six to eight months, bringing texture and breadth to the whole.

Grape Variety

100% Chardonnay.