2011 Dom Pelle Menetou-Salon Morogues Blanc

100% Sauvignon Blanc, this Morogues bottling is a blend from seven small parcels of 25 year old vines in the Morgogues commune.  Located on steep, sunny slopes of remarkable Kimmeridgian soil, the southern exposition is ideal allowing for long hours of bright sunshine. Often compared to its famous Northern neighbor, Sancerre, the wines here show a slightly broader mineral quality and floral finesse. 

  

The Pellé's goal is to produce wine that reveals terroir over varietal character. It's quite a challenge for a variety as distinctive as Sauvignon Blanc and they succeed quite well, due to the care taken in the vineyard and cellar. The wine-making here is decidedly simple.  After hand-harvesting early in the cool hours, the fruit arrives in the the cellar where grapes and stalks are slowly pressed together in a pneumatic press. Consulting enologist Julien Zernott believes that this both prevents oxidation and provides the gentlest treatment for the grapes, preserving the truest expression of place in the end wine. Only natural yeasts are used for fermentation. After six months in stainless steel, the wine is bottled unfiltered. Absolutely excellent value.