Alphonse Mellot, Sancerre Rouge (Loire Valley, France) 2019

 As early as 1513, the Mellot family was involved in growing wine grapes and making wine.  In 1668, César Mellot was appointed as Wine Advisor to Louis XIV.  Alphonse Mello created a tavern in Sancerre, and in 1881 he got a license to ship his wine.  Today the family continues the business creating wines like this single variety food-friendly Pinot Noir from the La Demoiselle Vineyard with a dark ruby color with aromas and flavors of intense blackberry and black cherry with light chalky, floral, and citrus notes.