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.
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.
Region
Loire Valley
Appellation
Menetou-Salon
Village
Humbligny
Parcel
Vignes de Chantenais
Grapes
Sauvignon Blanc
Vine Age
20 years old
Soil
Clay and limestone
Fermentation
Fermented with indigenous yeast in stainless steel
Aging
Eight to ten months in enameled stainless steel tanks on the lees
Farming
Ecologic
Vegan
Yes
ABV
13%
Pack Size
12x750mL