Domaine Pellé, 2022 Update
There are a handful of domaines which act as beacons of quality in the Menetou-Salon appellation, one of which is undoubtedly Domaine Pellé. Outside the famous appellations of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé this is one of the must-visit domaines of the Central Vineyards. So on a visit to the Loire Valley earlier this year I was delighted to have the opportunity to stop off and taste the latest releases from this estate, with the main man, Paul-Henry Pellé.
The Domaine
The history of the domaine dates back to at least the early 20th century when a Paul Pellé was tending vines here, and selling the wines he made in local markets. It was two generations later, with the arrival of Henry Pellé, that the domaine really flourished, Henry acting to consolidate the family’s various viticultural and winemaking activities. Henry also played a significant role in the development of the Menetou-Salon appellation, drawing up the first draft of the cahier des charges, the rulebook which defines any appellation.
Today it is the fifth generation, the aforementioned Paul-Henry Pellé, who runs the domaine, and he turns out a vineyard- and terroir-focused portfolio of wines. That he is in this role today was something he achieved against the odds. He inherited the mantle in 1995 following the early death of his father in a car accident, but at the time Paul-Henry was only nine years old. For many years it was his mother, Anne Pellé, aided by caretaker winemaker Julien Zernott, who kept the flame alive, until Paul-Henry was ready to take over. Today Paul-Henry presides over a high quality portfolio of wines, featuring both Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, taking advantage of the appellation’s rich bed of Kimmeridgian limestones and marls.
On this occasion I met up with Paul-Henry Pellé to taste a selection of the most recent releases from the domaine, with a focus on the 2020 and 2019 vintages.
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