Winemaker Julie Noël is among the rising stars of the Loire Valley, making some of the most structured, soulful wines in the Sancerre region. In contrast to many estates in an appellation not presently known for complexity, the Noël family maintains an incredibly passionate following in France from their reputation for making classic wines of intensity and grace. 

Julie Noël’s Menetou-Salon Blanc is made from a single southwest-facing 2.5ha parcel of sauvignon blanc located near the village of Humbligny, 17km southwest of Sancerre. It is an exceptionally graceful and delicious example of sauvignon blanc from the region surrounding Sancerre.

Vintage – The 2019 vintage was a year of high quality and balance. Frost reduced yields during flowering, and a warm summer also stressed the vines and lowered yields; however, the fruit left to harvest was of premium quality. Sauvignon blanc had naturally high acidity, with great harmony between fruit and acid, with excellent structure.

Vinification – After harvesting, the grapes are rushed to the winery for pressing to guard against oxidation. Grapes are destemmed and crushed, with only the free-run juice used. The must is allowed to naturally decant in a refrigerated tank prior to fermentation. A long, cool alcoholic fermentation lasts between three to four weeks. The wine is racked once, then left undisturbed in enameled stainless steel tanks on the lees until bottling the following spring or summer. No malolactic fermentation. 1600 cases produced.

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