Alphonse Mellot Les Romains Sancerre 2025

The house of Alphonse Mellot is a certified and historic legend of the Loire, and this 2025 Romains Sancerre pulled a very accurate 95 points from Tasting Panel, who dubbed it “One of the most elegant Sancerre wines you’ll try from this producer” and touting its “Satiny, silky, layered” expression. Down more than $35 from its typical retail, plus free shipping on 3 bottles – come and get it!

The Mellot family has appeared in Sancerre's archives as vignerons and merchants since 1513, and by tradition the eldest son of each generation takes the name Alphonse (chic!). Their lineage is so entwined with the region that King Louis XIV named César Mellot his personal wine advisor in 1698. Now in its 19th generation, the estate stands as a true icon of the appellation, farming roughly 60 hectares biodynamically and pulling unrivaled depth and precision from both its Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.

Les Romains is a pristine and tiny plot, just 1.2 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc planted in 1951, and named for the vestiges of a Roman road that once cut across the site. What sets it apart from a neighboring cru like La Demoiselle is its geology – here flint lies over limestone rather than flinty clay – and every cluster is picked by hand into small crates to protect the fruit before its patient, low-intervention vinification.

The 2025 particularly shows just how incredibly this site can handle a warmer growing season. It leans into a restrained and elegant persona, with a supple core of lemon oil and ripe guava enclosed in flavors of white peach and quince, all carried on a satiny, feather light texture. Floral top notes of elderflower and honeysuckle drift through, adding lift and a faintly nectared sweetness of aroma, while the whole is held in balance by bright acidity and a long, mouthwatering finish. Layered, silken, and generous – this is just sublime. The price should be a much, much higher number for what’s in the bottle, and you’ll be well pleased to welcome the 3 necessary for free shipping.

FOOD PAIRINGS: A little seafood and spice would elevate this tremendous Sancerre to even greater heights – I’m opting for a tender white fish Thai green curry. Happy, happy taste buds!