Domaine Moreux Les Monts Damnés Sancerre 2011

From vintage to vintage Domaine Moreux produces outstanding Sancerre, and their 2011 Les Monts Damnés sits at the pinnacle of this estate’s exceptional offerings. The 2011 vintage has been widely acclaimed for its depth of flavor and rich intense flavors, which has allowed the Moreux brothers to truly work their magic in the 2011 Les Monts Damnés, their finest cru. The 2011 Les Monts Damnés states its case from the moment it is poured. The wine’s striking robe delights the eye and its intense melon and mineral driven bouquet soars from the glass to delight the nose. Better still is the bevy of flavors that grace the palate. The 2011 Moreux Les Monts Damnés acts every bit the quintessential Sancerre, offering up pure intense flavors of herb, melon, fig, and passion fruit, all of which are perfectly balanced by a deep pinpoint minerality and a juicy acidity that leave the mouth fresh and clean. The 2011 Les Monts Damnés is absolutely delicious now but will likely develop further in the bottle. In short, Domaine Moreux’s 2011 Les Monts Damnés Sancerre is nothing short of riveting. Enjoy!

In upscale bistros and restaurants across the globe, Sancerre has earned the reputation as “the wine for seafood,” and frankly we are hard pressed to find a better wine to pair with seafood than Sancerre. A classic pairing and personal favorite is Domaine Moreux’s 2011 Les Monts Damnés with a plate of oysters on the half shell. Better still, who can resist the 2011 Domaine Moreux with Pan Roasted Sea Scallops, served with saffron risotto, baby carrots, and sautéed spinach; Tiger Shrimp, smothered in a herb infused cream sauce; Steamed New Zealand Green Lipped Oysters, prepared with tomato, fennel, and crème fraîche; or smoked salmon, served with capers, red onion, and cream cheese? In fact, just about any white fish or shellfish, including lobster, provides the ideal complement to Moreux’s outstanding 2011 Les Monts Damnés Sancerre. With such wine and seafood one might be tempted to re-think one’s definition of paradise. Yet, why not ask for more? After all, Moreux’s Les Monts Damnés is more than just a seafood wine. It pairs exceptionally well with sweetbreads, country pâtés, smoked meats, and creamy chicken dishes; it also makes a fabulous start to an evening as an aperitif extraordinaire. Last but not least, we suggest finishing a bottle of Moreux’s delicious Les Monts Damnés Sancerre with the regional cheese Crottin de Chavignol – a pairing that’s not to be missed. Bon Appétit!

Domaine Moreux is a family estate located in the tiny Sancerre hamlet of Chavignol, a village of barely 200 inhabitants along the Upper Loire River whose inhabitants are as renowned for their wine as they are for their cheese - Crottin de Chavignol. Roger and Christophe are the present Moreux proprietors and vignerons, but they are certainly not the first members of the Moreux family to bear those titles. The Moreux family has been making wine in Sancerre since the 16th century, which earns the Moreux brothers the recognition as one of the oldest wine families in the entire region. More importantly, the brothers Moreux have learned a thing or two from their ancestral lineage – namely how to make world class Sancerre.

Roger and Christophe cultivate just 10 hectares (22 acres) of vines from which they fashion six special Sancerre offerings: the domaine’s “Grand Cru” Sancerre Les Monts Damnés, which is made exclusively from fruit from the finest site in Chavignol; a Sancerre Pinot Noir; a Sancerre Rosé; and three other very tasty traditional white Sancerre wines from 100% Sauvignon Blanc. All are entitled to bear the appellation designation Sancerre. And as Domaine Moreux is a member of Vignerons Indépendants, a prestigious group of elite, independent wine growers, all of this domaine’s wines are certified for authenticity and exceptional quality – but then one taste of any of this estate’s wines can speak to the quality one can expect from Roger and Christophe Moreux.

Sancerre is an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) for wines produced in fourteen villages near the town of Sancerre. This appellation lies to the southeast of Orléans, along the upper reaches of the Loire Valley. Sancerre is considered by many to be the spiritual home of Sauvignon Blanc, as the appellation’s greatest claim to fame lies in the production of crisp, elegant, eminently drinkable white wine made exclusively from Sauvignon Blanc grapes. The chalky, limestone rich soil of Sancerre is ideal for the cultivation of Sauvignon Blanc. Consequently, white Sancerre was one of the first wines to be awarded appellation status by the French government in 1936.

As if the crafting of some of the world’s purest, most enjoyable white wine is not sufficient acclaim, Sancerre also fashions very fine, dry rosé from Pinot Noir and light, aromatic red Pinot Noir that rivals the village wines of Burgundy. Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir are the only legal grape varieties permitted in Sancerre.

Crottin de Chavignol, the Loire Valley’s finest goat cheese is also made in Sancerre. It was awarded its own appellation status in 1976. It ranks among the finest cheeses of France and it pairs beautifully with Sancerre’s incomparable Sauvignon Blanc.