Alphonse Mellot : Les Pénitents Chardonnay 2020

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for Les Pénitents Chardonnay 2020 by Alphonse Mellot

Tasting notes

Colour
The wine shows a deep yellow hue with golden highlights, hinting at the richness and ripeness of the fruit.

Nose
The nose is expressive, led by citrus and exotic fruit aromas that reflect the generosity of the vintage.

Palate
The palate is delicate and balanced, supported by lovely acidity and pronounced minerality, before extending into a long finish that is both mineral and mouth-watering.

Food and wine pairings

This wine is a natural choice as an aperitif, particularly alongside oysters and seafood. It also pairs beautifully with fish, white meats and truffle-based dishes. Dry goat's cheeses from the Loire make a fine complement to the possible pairings.

Serving and cellaring

Les Pénitents Chardonnay 2020 is ideally served at a temperature of 10 to 12 °C. It can be enjoyed now and will keep until around 2027.

A Chardonnay from the IGP Côtes de la Charité, Balancing Power and Minerality

The estate

The Alphonse Mellot estate was established in the early 19th century in Sancerre, in the Loire Valley, by its namesake ancestor Alphonse Mellot, although the family had been present in the area since 1513. Today run by Alphonse Mellot "Junior" and his sister Emmanuelle, the estate extends notably around the La Moussière property in Sancerre and was expanded in 2005 with a vineyard in Chasnay, in the Nièvre. The Alphonse Mellot house cultivates its vines biodynamically and is distinguished by hand harvesting in small crates.

The vineyard

Les Pénitents Chardonnay comes from young Chardonnay vines planted on south-facing limestone soil rich in crinoidal limestone, within the IGP Côtes de la Charité. This vineyard in the Nièvre, planted as early as the 12th century by Cluniac monks and crossed by the Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela, is now farmed organically and biodynamically, with the same commitment to quality as the estate's Sancerre terroirs.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage was marked by pleasant warmth that encouraged advanced ripeness in the grapes, while retaining a pronounced acidity that ensures fine ageing potential.

Winemaking and ageing

The grapes for Les Pénitents Chardonnay 2020 are hand-harvested in small crates, then sorted by hand before gentle pressing. Ageing then takes place over twelve months, divided equally between wooden vats, 600-litre barrels and concrete tanks, followed by a final four months of maturation in the blend.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay.