Millet Freres Sancerre 2013
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Bernard and Pierre's settled in the pretty little village of Bue, which was surrounded by vineyards. They noticed the existence of noble soils and they planted the famous grape varieties Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.
These soils and grape varieties have been recognized as an appellation (AOC), since 1936.
Both Bernard and Pierre had fine palates and always wanted to improve the quality of their wines. They were the first to follow the technological innovations of the last century and learned that great "terroir" meant regular and special care.
Over the years, they managed to pass down their knowledge and patience through generations. They are now on their fifth generation of winemakers running the Domain. If you visit, you’ll meet Monique, Francois or Nicolas.
Today, the property is 21 hectares, 75% is planted in Sauvignon (white Sancerre wine) and 25% in Pinot Noir (red and Rose Sancerre wine).
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
Marked by its charming hilltop village in the easternmost territory of the Loire, Sancerre is famous for its racy, vivacious, citrus-dominant Sauvignon blanc. Its enormous popularity in 1970s French bistros led to its success as the go-to restaurant white around the globe in the 1980s.
While the region claims a continental climate, noted for short, hot summers and long, cold winters, variations in topography—rolling hills and steep slopes from about 600 to 1,300 feet in elevation—with great soil variations, contribute the variations in character in Sancerre Sauvignon blancs.
In the western part of the appellation, clay and limestone soils with Kimmeridgean marne, especially in Chavignol, produce powerful wines. Moving closer to the actual town of Sancerre, soils are gravel and limestone, producing especially delicate wines. Flint (silex) soils close to the village produce particularly perfumed and age-worthy wines.
About ten percent of the wines claiming the Sancerre appellation name are fresh and light red wines made from Pinot noir and to a lesser extent, rosés. While not typically exported in large amounts, they are well-made and attract a loyal French following.