2009 Domaine de la Cadette La Soeur Cadette Melon

2009 Domaine de la Cadette La Soeur Cadette Vin de France Melon

Vézelay is a small region tucked in just to the South of Chablis…….ravaged by phylloxera in the past, large scale replanting only really took place in the 1970′s and wines from this small region represent great value for money and they seem to have a resemblance to the wines of their racy cousins just to the North. It’s part of Burgundy however….just to keep it in its place…the word Vézelay must be in the same size font and must come after the word Bourgogne….so Bourgogne Vézelay it is on the label.

You don’t find much Melon de Bourgogne on this side of town….it is of course, more at home in the Loire where it is the variety responable for the racy wines in the Muscadet-Sevre et Maine AOC. It actually originated in Burgundy but its destruction was ordered in the early 18th century in classic French….” off with its head” style…..this particular offering is designated Vin de France.

Domaine de la Cadette is a 13.5ha organically run estate owned by Jean and Catherine Montanet with an average vine age of around 20 years of age. Their winery is in the small village of St Père…the soils around here are limestone rich….it’s part of the Kimmeridgian chain….chalky marl, capped by hard limestone born of an ancient sea, that sweeps its way from the Loire, through the Côte d’Or and Chablis to Champagne.]

In the cellar the wines are produced utilising natural yeasts and only a tiny dab of sulhur is added at bottling.

Pale straw in the glass with fresh inviting aromas of pear, green apple and citrus fruits. There are aromas of light spice and plenty of scattered herb nuances and deep minerally goodness.

In the mouth, the wine is sapid and lively…..crisp, pure and fresh…crunchy green apple and nashi pear fruits with hints of lemon rind, herbs and minerals. It’s got that, salivating limestone acid profile and just a hint of malic sourness which is like a tip of the hat to its near Northern neighbors in Chablis. It’s lean in shape  but lacks no density of  flavour across the palate….racy and sapid to the end it would make a super aperitif and would be the biz with charcuterie. A lovely racy little number.

Price: $31 – Closure: Cork – Alcohol: 12% – Source: Wine Bar – Importer: Terroir Wines

A racy little number.....who you waving at Jim?