Alphonse Mellot : Les Romains 2025

Characteristics and tasting notes of the "Les Romains" 2025 cuvée by Alphonse Mellot

Tasting

Appearance
The robe reveals a pale yellow to lemon yellow hue, brightened by luminous green and emerald reflections.

Nose
Of great purity, the aromatic bouquet opens with notes of white flowers, citrus and white fruits such as quince or redcurrant. It stands out through an intense minerality evoking chalk, gun flint and iodine, subtly enhanced by hints of walnut oil linked to its ageing.

Palate
Ample and generous, the palate offers a dense material supported by a vibrant acidic framework. The texture, refined by the work on the lees, envelops the palate with great aromatic precision before extending towards a long, saline and deeply mineral finish.

Food and wine pairings

Sancerre "Les Romains" pairs wonderfully with seafood such as oysters, scallops or a white fish ceviche. It also brilliantly accompanies poultry in sauce, andouillette with mustard, as well as local goat cheeses such as the traditional Crottin de Chavignol.

Serving and cellaring

Endowed with a beautiful structure, the Les Romains 2025 cuvée is a wine crafted for ageing that can rest in the cellar and evolve favourably until around 2035.

The mineral expression of a great Sancerre by Alphonse Mellot

The estate

While the history of this winegrowing family dates back to 1513, the modern Alphonse Mellot estate truly came into being in 1969 following a family split. Located at the heart of the Loire region, this property of around fifty hectares is now run by Alphonse Mellot Junior and his sister Emmanuelle. A true flagship of artisanal winegrowing, the estate is fully certified in organic and biodynamic agriculture. It stands out for its commitment to transcribing with extreme precision the richness of the Sancerre terroirs.

The vineyard

This wine comes from a small 1.20-hectare plot located on the Sancerre fault. Planted in 1951, these old vines flourish on a complex terroir composed of flinty clays on the surface and marly limestone at depth. The vineyard is farmed according to the principles of biodynamics, with a very high planting density that fosters strong competition between the vines and optimal concentration of the grapes.

Winemaking and ageing

To craft Les Romains 2025, the grapes are harvested by hand into small crates, followed by meticulous sorting. The grapes undergo a gentle whole-cluster pressing. Fermentation takes place entirely in wood, with a significant proportion of new barrels. The wine then benefits from extended ageing on fine lees, punctuated by regular bâtonnage over several months, before being bottled in accordance with the lunar calendar.

Grape variety

100% Sauvignon Blanc.