Alphonse Mellot Sancerre Génération XIX 2017

Biodynamic. Together with its sister-in-arms, Cuvée Edmond, Dix-Neuf is the antithesis of modern 'textbook' Sancerre. This jaw-dropping Sancerre is drawn from the oldest vines in the Moussière vineyard (approximately 100 years of age) cropped at Grand Cru Burgundy-level yields (in fact, the lower end of this range). The wine was fermented and raised in 2,000-litre, tronconique wooden tanks for 12 months before a spell in steel, again on lees. Only 500 cases per year get to see the light of day.

As difficult as they are to describe, both this and the cuvée Edmond stack up against the finest whites on the planet, full stop. Sure, some may balk at the price so we should state that these two intensely mineral Sancerres make a bold statement about what Sauvignon Blanc can be. Such wines represent a distillation all the perfectionism, precision, history and hard work that define the Mellot Domaine. Of course, in such a radical departure from the Sancerre norm, it won't be for everyone. Only lovers of uncompromising, chalk-infused whites need apply.

"From calcareous marl soils the 2017 Sancerre Génération XIX is a great, pure, vibrantly fresh and tensioned representative of the region and a great vintage. Deep, fine and complex on the very elegant and fresh yet concentrated nose, this is a tight, complex and sustainable Sancerre whose density is lifted by mineral freshness and backboned by extract and a tight yet fine tannin structure. The finish is fresh and stimulatingly salty and exhibits the complexity of 100+-year-old vines." 94 points, Stephan Reinhardt, The Wine Advocate

Country: France
Region: Loire Valley
Sub Region: Sancerre