Domaine Joseph Mellot
Jean-Miche Sorbe
 Quincy - Reuilly - Coteaux du Giennois (Loire Valley)

The Estate
 Located in the town of Preuilly, Domaine Joseph Mellot is one of the leaders in the Loire Valley. The Mellot dynasty was founded in Sancerre almost five centuries ago by Pierre-Etienne Mellot and, since then, the family has always been involved in winemaking. In fact, in 1698 César Mellot was entrusted with the weighty task of advising King Louis XIV on his choice of wines. Throughout the years, each new generation has continued to enrich and perfect the family's winemaking skills. In 1984, Joseph's son, Alexandre, took over the estate with quality as his main objective and a focus on the artisanal winemaking process and philosophy transmitted from one owner to the other.

Jeam-Michel Sorbe took over the family estate in 1973 and for about 30 years devoted his energy and passion to develop the reputation if the Quincy and Reuilly appellations. His wines had a great success and Jean-Michel Sorbe became a well-known personality in the region.
The Sorbe and Mellot families met through a mutual friend and began working together in 1988. In 1999, since his children had chosen to follow other paths, Jean-Michel decided to hand his estate over to Alexandre Mellot.
The Vineyards
They farm 11 hectares (27 acres) in Reuilly (10 hectares in the commune of Preuilly, 1 hectare in Reuilly), and 3 hectares (7.4 acres) in Quincy. 
Soils:
- Preuilly: orange colored clay on ancient alluvial deposits (clay and silt). Deep, structured sols.
- Reuilly: grainy sand, Fairly light soils with a clay subsoil.
- Quincy: 2 parcels are planted on alluvial deposits (sand and gravel from the beginning of the quaternary period); 1 parcel has a higher clay content with the presence of lacustrine limestone on the surface.

The Quincy appellation (A.O.C. founded in 1936) measures 200 hectares (494 acres). It is the second oldest A.O.C. in France after Châteauneuf du Pape. The appellation almost disappeared as a wine after World War II, but today is staging a come back with new blood and new plantings. The vineyards lie around and between two towns, Quincy and Brinay. Quincy is a A.O.C. on the move and its A.O.C. status only applies to white wines, not red or rosé. 
The vineyards of Reuilly (A.O.C. founded in 1939) measures 150 hectares (370.50 acres). The grapes grown are Sauvignon, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir. Reuilly was once known for a vin Gris de Pinot Noir, which today is 15% of the area’s production. 
Diane de Galinière is another property owned by Joseph Mellot. Once again, they have decided to keep the yield low in order to obtain the best quality. Coteaux du Giennois A.O.C. was unknown a few years ago and is now an appellation to watch thanks to the care provided by Joseph Mellot. The Coteaux du Giennois vineyards measure 160 hectares (395.2 acres) composed of siliceous-clay soil in the northern part and Kimmeridgian marl in the south.
The Wines


shelf talker

 

 













2011 Domaine Jean-Michel Sorbe, Quincy Blanc 12/750ml
#F1EE104012SBS
UPC code: 7 84585 00573 4
100% Sauvignon Blanc.
35-40 year-old vines located on the banks of the Cher river; the soil is typical of the appellation, mainly sandy and gravelly.
Traditional vinification: gentle pressing in pneumatic press to extract the finest juice; temperature-controlled fermentation for several weeks to preserve the aromas; the wine is aged on its fine lees with a single filtration to give a greater finesse and freshness.

A pale golden-yellow color with green tints.
An expressive, powerful nose dominated by white flowers and grapefruit aromas. On the palate it is full and well-balanced with a ncie freshness and good acidity. Clean, crisp and dry finish.
Perfect with seafood and oysters. It is also a good match with goat cheese, such as Crottin de Chavignol, and cheese fondues.

2009 Domaine Jean-Michel Sorbe, Quincy Blanc 12/750ml
#F1EE104006SBS
UPC code: 7 84585 00573 4
100% Sauvignon Blanc.
35-40 year-old vines located on the banks of the Cher river; the soil is typical of the appellation, mainly sandy and gravelly.
Traditional vinification: gentle pressing in pneumatic press to extract the finest juice; temperature-controlled fermentation for several weeks to preserve the aromas; the wine is aged on its fine lees with a single filtration to give a greater finesse and freshness.

A pale golden-yellow color with green tints.
An expressive, powerful nose dominated by white flowers and grapefruit aromas. On the palate it is full and well-balanced with a ncie freshness and good acidity. Clean, crisp and dry finish.
Perfect with seafood and oysters. It is also a good match with goat cheese, such as Crottin de Chavignol, and cheese fondues.

2008 Domaine Jean-Michel Sorbe, Quincy Blanc 12/750ml
UPC code: 7 84585 00573 4
"Pale, green-tinged gold. Incisive aromas of grapefruit, lime zest and minerals, with a hint of white pepper. Racy, tightly wound citrus flavors are underscored by zesty minerals, which add good lift and lend a dry impression. Very grown-up and uncompromising, finishing with strong cut and spiciness."
- Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (March/April 10), 88 pts
"This wine is a very interesting aromatically and on the palate, but especially in the finish.  It gets off to a good start with aromas that are grassy but not under-ripe, along with floral notes akin to lilacs that are unusual for Sauvignon.  The flavors offer suggestions of grapefruit and lime, and these notes carry through to the finish, which shows lovely mineral tinges and lots of zesty acidity.”
- Michael Franz, Wine Review Online (July 2009), 91 pts

National Retail Price: $22.99 / bottle

 
shelf talker

2009 Domaine Jean-Michel Sorbe, Reuilly Blanc "La Commanderie" 12/750ml
 UPC code: 7 84585 00365 5
#F1EE104006SBS
100% Sauvignon Blanc. 
15 to 20 year-old vines located on the left bank of the Cher river, in the southwest of Quincy. Sunny vineyards located on small hills with sandy, gravely alluvial soil dating back to the Quaternary Period.
Traditional vinification: gentle pressing in pneumatic press to extract the finest juice; temperature-controlled fermentation for several weeks to preserve the aromas; the wine is aged on its fine lees with a single filtration to give a greater finesse and freshness.

An expressive nose of citrus fruits, peach, and apricot. Lovely full flavors on the palate with pleasing freshness. This wine is well-balanced, bright, juicy, round and full-bodied.
A good match with shellfish, asparagus and goat cheese.

2008 Domaine Jean-Michel Sorbe, Reuilly Blanc "La Commanderie" 12/750ml
UPC code: 7 84585 00365 5
#F1EE104011SBS
"Bright yellow. Lively, soil-inflected aromas of lime, minerals, crushed stone and quinine. Youthfully intense and palate-staining, with good cut and depth to the fresh pineapple, lime and mineral flavors. Shows very good density and complexity, and finishes with zesty minerality and spicy persistence."
- Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (March/April 10), 88 pts


2007 Domaine Jean-Michel Sorbe, Reuilly Blanc "La Commanderie" 12/750ml
 UPC code: 7 84585 00365 5
#F1EE104002SBS
100% Sauvignon Blanc. 
15 to 20 year-old vines located on the left bank of the Cher river, in the southwest of Quincy. Sunny vineyards located on small hills with sandy, gravely alluvial soil dating back to the Quaternary Period.
Traditional vinification: gentle pressing in pneumatic press to extract the finest juice; temperature-controlled fermentation for several weeks to preserve the aromas; the wine is aged on its fine lees with a single filtration to give a greater finesse and freshness.

An expressive nose of citrus fruits, peach, and apricot. Lovely full flavors on the palate with pleasing freshness. This wine is well-balanced, bright, juicy, round and full-bodied.
A good match with shellfish, asparagus and goat cheese.

"Sorbe’s Reuilly is pale straw with a spicy nose of ripe pear and spearmint. On the palate it is round and full with delicate stone fruit flavors and nice minerality with notes of anise."
- International Wine Review (June 09), 88 pts
National Retail Price: $22.99 / bottle


High Quality label
Bottle Shot

2011 Domaine Jean-Michel Sorbe, Reuilly Villages Blanc 12/750ml
 UPC code: 7 84585 01451 4
#F1EE104013SBS
 100% Sauvignon Blanc. 
 Terroir: The vines are 15 to 20 years old and are located on the left bank of the Cher River, southwest of Quincy. This vineyard enjoys good exposure to the sun and overlies hillocks composed of sandy alluvial deposits and gravel dating back to the Quaternary Period.
Vineyard management: Each terroir is managed with minimal intervention in an environmentally friendly approach.
Vinification: Slow pressing. Fermentation took place under controlled temperatures (18°C).The wine was aged on fine lees for a minimum of 4 months. It was filtered only once before being bottled.
 Characteristics: The first nose is expressive and opens up to notes of acacia, citrus (lemon, grapefruit). Full on the palate with lovely freshness. This wine boasts nice balance and good length.
 Our serving suggestions: Pair with crustaceans, asparagus, or goat’s cheeses. The ideal serving temperature is between 8 and 12°C.After pouring, allow the wine to breathe for a few moments in the glass before enjoying so that it may fully release all of its aromas.

National Retail Price: $ / bottle

 

UPC code: 7 84585 00627 4
2007 Domaine Joseph Mellot, Coteaux du Giennois Blanc, Diane de Galinière
Diane de Galinière is Alexandre Mellot's relative. 
Lovely pale yellow color with green tints. Intense and attractive aromas of white fruit (pears), representative of the vintage. The palate is well-balanced, displaying freshness together with a slight sweetness on the finish. Lovely aromatic persistence with lemony notes. A pleasant wine, worth discovering. Perfect as an apéritif, but it also goes well with fish, sea food, savory pies and goat cheese.

National Retail Price: $22.99 / bottle