Winemaker Notes
Planted in 1966, this plot has been harvested by Domaine de Bellene for nine years now. The gently sloping vineyard prospers on a clay-limestone soil and was treated chemically before it was purchased. Bellene till their plots in order to reintroduce a microbiotic life, crucial to supply the vine with a source of carbon. The southern exposure of the vineyard guarantees excellent ripeness in the fruit, and the vines provide many grapes with millerandage and small compact bunches. The fruit is gently pressed, then settled for two days, and finally moved by gravity into new oak barrels of different volumes: 600 and 450 liters.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
This white is toasty, exhibiting vanilla, peach, apple and lemon flavors, plus a hint of stone. Strikes harmony between flesh and focus, with a lingering, spicy aftertaste. Drink now through 2030. 300 cases made, 100 cases imported.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Known to offer a magical balance of smoothness and freshness, Meursault's quality is hard to rival. The village lies in the middle of Côte de Beaune, just south of Volnay. Meursault is said to mean “mouse’s jump” because in the past the plots producing Pinot Noir and those producing Chardonnay were no more than a mouse’s jump from one another. Today the village is almost exclusively Chardonnay. A tiny bit of Pinot Noir is produced here with the best coming from Les Santenots on its northern side near Volnay.
While there are no Grands Crus, Meursault’s numerous acclaimed Premiers Crus can compete with any other top-notch white Burgundy. Some to know are Les Perrières, Les Genevrières, Les Charmes, Le Poruzot, Les Bouchères and Les Gouttes d’Or.
Meursault produces outstanding village level wines as well. In general great Premiers Crus and even village level Meursault (Chardonnay) have enticing aromas of lime peel, tropical fruit, crushed rocks, spice and hazelnut. On the palate there is a wonderful balance of brightness and a seductive length with flavors of white peach, pineapple and citrus.