Mercurey AOP – Domaine de la Monette – Les Obus – white

Description

The 2023 Mercurey white “Les Obus” from Domaine de la Monette embodies the understated elegance and precision of Chardonnay grown in the Côte Chalonnaise. From a small south-facing plot on stony clay-limestone soils, this wine is the fruit of a sunny yet well-ventilated terroir, conducive to slow, balanced ripening of the grapes.

Farmed with respect for the environment, using organic practices and in conversion to certified organic farming, the estate makes a point of limiting inputs, encouraging soil life, and harvesting by hand at perfect ripeness. The 2023 vintage, marked by a steady summer and a wide temperature range between day and night, allowed lovely aromatic expression while retaining a structuring acid backbone.

The winemaking, precise and minimally interventionist, aims to reveal the finesse of the fruit. After a slow pressing, the must is settled and then run directly into French oak barrels, a small proportion of them new (around 10 to 15%), for a spontaneous alcoholic fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Ageing on fine lees lasts around 10 months, with occasional lees stirring to add richness and complexity while preserving the identity of the terroir.

On tasting, this 2023 Mercurey white reveals a bright pale yellow colour with golden highlights. The nose, precise and pure, opens with notes of fresh pear, lemon zest and white peach, underlined by delicate floral touches (acacia, lime blossom) and a subtle toasty hint. On the palate, the attack is lively and taut, carried by marked limestone minerality, before rounding out into a slightly buttery texture and a saline, lingering finish.

This wine pairs equally well with grilled fish, a spring vegetable risotto or hard cooked-curd cheeses such as young Comté. Serve at 11–12 °C; it has fine ageing potential of 3 to 6 years.