Mercurey AOP – Domaine de la Monette – Le Saut Muchiau – red

Description

This single-plot cuvée from Domaine de la Monette, from the “Le Saut Muchiau” climat, is a fine expression of Pinot Noir in its purest and most structured register. Located on the heights of the village of Mercurey, the plot enjoys an ideal exposure and stony clay-limestone soils, which ensure good drainage and encourage slow, even ripening of the grapes.

The 2022 vintage, marked by lovely natural concentration thanks to a hot but balanced summer, gives a wine that is both dense and fresh. The vines are farmed using an organic approach, without weedkillers or synthetic products, and harvested by hand to preserve the integrity of the fruit.

In the cellar, the winemaking is gentle: full destemming, a 14- to 18-day maceration with light pump-overs, and fermentation with indigenous yeasts, so as to preserve the identity of the terroir. Ageing takes place in oak barrels for 12 months, with a small proportion of new oak (around 15%), bringing structure and complexity without masking the fruit.

In the glass, the wine shows an intense ruby colour, brilliant. The nose opens on aromas of black cherry, blackberry, liquorice and white pepper, lifted by a discreet touch of vanilla. The palate is ample, with silky yet firmly present tannins, a lovely acid backbone that supports the balance, and a long, mineral finish, typical of the best terroirs of Mercurey.

This food-friendly wine is a perfect match for roast meats (duck, lamb), game birds or slow-cooked dishes such as boeuf bourguignon. It is best enjoyed at 16–17 °C and has an ageing potential of 6 to 10 years.