Alphonse Dolly Menetou-Salon 2020

Description

Menetou-Salon is part of the ‘central vineyards’ of the Loire, adjacent to Sancerre but a fraction of its size in vineyard coverage and wine production. The Sauvignon Blanc vines here are planted on a terroir of ancient sea beds, kimmeridgian marls and limestone recognisable by the remains of small oyster shells in the vineyards, commonly known as ‘chicken ears’.

Grapes are harvested at night and pressed slowly to extract the best from the fruit, then cool fermented without the use of sulphites. The wine rests on fine lees in stainless steel under nitrogen, before filtering and bottling, also under nitrogen to further limit the use of sulphites.

Steely gold in appearance, the nose shows a mix of wild flowers and tropical and citrus fruits. Fruity and zesty on the palate, with hints of green apple and gooseberry, there’s a light flintiness to the mid-palate, with citrus peel and more floral hints on the finish.