Mercurey 1er Cru 2016 Clos des Ruelles - Château de Chamirey

Mercurey 1er Cru 2016 Clos des Ruelles - Château de Chamirey

TERROIR

The plots in our lieu-dit Clos l'Évêque were planted in 1986 with a part replanted in 2013.

Total area: 2,062 hectares.

The vines are facing East/South-East and are located on a plateau with a uniform, light, very chalky soil composed of small pebbles contributing to water drainage.

VINIFICATION

For quality reasons, the grapes are harvested by hand. Then the harvest is sorted by hand and partially or 100% de-stemmed depending on the vintage. After filling the vat, a cold pre-fermentation maceration of 4 to 6 days at 10°C helps us to extract the colour from the skins. The natural fermentation then starts at 24°C and rises to 31°C in its final phase. The extraction of the phenolic compounds is done with the help of pigeage, the intensity and number of which vary according to the quality of the grapes and therefore the vintage. The post-fermentation maceration helps us to soften the tannins. At devatting, free-run wine and press wine are carefully separated and matured separately. The wine is aged for 15 months in 100% oak barrels, 25% of which are new.

TASTING NOTES

Very beautiful light cherry colour. (Typical of Pinot Noir). The nose is fine and delicate. It develops notes of undergrowth: humus and notes of fresh red fruits. Lots of finesse and delicacy. We find the richness of strawberries and fresh cherries. The tannins are fine, delicate and silky.

FOOD AND WINE PAIRING

It can be enjoyed as an aperitif, but also with fresh goat cheese such as Rigotte de Condrieu; as well as with meat dishes such as Peking chicken with honey and spices.

GARDE

To be drunk now at an ideal temperature of 13-15°C or kept for 3-5 years.

THE ART OF TASTING

It is too often forgotten that it is not enough to have good wines in the cellar, but that one must also know how to serve them. Temperature is an essential element, around 12°C for the whites and 15°C for the reds; without a good tasting glass that will amplify the wine's aromas, one is sure to diminish its pleasure. A good glass gives the wine a large airing surface and a tighter neck, which allows the nose to better grasp the richness and complexity of the great wine.