Danjean-Berthoux Mercurey Les Chavances 2016
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Ruby color, with violet reflections. Aromas of black fruits (cherry, blackberries) and vanilla. Lively palate with woody and spicy notes.
The appellation of Givry is located in the Burgundy sub-region of the Cote Chalonnaise immediately south of the Cote d'Or and consists of the communes of Givry, Dracy-le-Fort, and Jambles where Pascal Danjean is located. Both white and red wines are allowed in the AOC, but around 80% of Givry's production is in red wine. There are nearly 275 hectares planted in Givry with just under 100 hectares of Premier Cru.
As for the soils, Givry is planted on oxfordian era limestone and clayey limestone that has a high proportion of iron and minerals. The terroir yields reds that are capable of firm structures but typically show very high-toned aromatics of violet, cloves, and delicate red cherry notes that make them the perfect pairing for pate, charcuterie, and terrines. The Chardonnays of Givry are bright, pale gold with notes of honey, citrus, and lily flowers.
Pascal now exploits just over 7 hecatares of vineyards in Givry.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
Beloved for its deep and flavorful reds made of Pinot Noir, Mercurey is the largest and most important village in the Côte Chalonnaise of Burgundy with most of its vineyards tucked away in hillsides or stretched along the aptly-named “Golden Valley.” This valley, sheltered from the moist and cool air that funnels along at lower elevations, is ideal for ripening Pinot noir.
Mercurey follows strict yield laws, similar to those at the Côte d’Or village level, promoting the development of deep, full, concentrated and age-worthy Pinot noirs. In their youth, a chewy and rich structure supports flavors of ripe strawberry, raspberry and cherry. Age brings notes of underbrush, tobacco and cocoa.
While Pinot Noir claims the majority of Mercurey vineyard acreage, Chardonnay does grow here and produces uniqely floral and spicey scented white wines.