MERCUREY > BOUCHARD Ainé & Fils

MERCUREY 2008

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2022

Varietal

100% Pinot Noir.

Tasting notes

Visual: Beautiful ruby-red robe.

Nose: Toasty, fruity (morello cherry), with notes of kirsch.

Palate: Delicate, fruity, spicy, with vanilla flavours. Tannins are fine and elegant. Very pleasant wine.

Food and wine pairing

This wine will be ideal with roasted or grilled meats, light game in sauce and most cheeses.

Serving suggestions

Ideally served at a temperature of around 15 to 16°C / 60°F.

Ageing potential

A nice red Burgundy to drink now or keep for 5 to 8 years in the cellar.

Origins

Mercurey is a local appellation in the north of the Côte Chalonnaise. It comprises 32 Climats classified as Premiers Crus and covers 650 hectares, including 545 hectares of reds (165 hectares of 1er Crus).

The cradle of Burgundy winegrowing, Mercurey is one of the oldest terroirs and has always enjoyed an excellent reputation. The village owes its name to the Romans who, during their occupation of the region, built a temple to Mercury, the god of commerce and finance.

The vineyards are located between 230 and 320 metres above sea level. They grow on the marl and marl-limestone soils of the Oxfordian. To the east, limestone and marl. To the west, a Jurassic structure and a crystalline base covered with sandstone. A whole section of the vineyard belongs to the Bathonian. On these white and chalky soils, or red and clayey, the vines find a warm affinity.

Vinification and maturing

The grapes are hand harvested and totally destemmed. Vatting lasts 18 to 20 days in temperature controlled vats. The cap is punched down twice a day during the alcoholic fermentation. The malolactic fermentation is completed at 100%. The maturation is then carried out in oak barrels (100% new oak).

Vintage : 2008

The 08 harvest in Burgundy was nothing short of a miracle. We have breathed a collective sigh of relief after picking enough healthy Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to save what looked initially a complete disaster. The challenges in the vineyard were multiple : mildew, oïdium, botrytis, and even hail in some vineyards like Volnay or Marsannay. Flowering in June took place over a two-week period, causing some coulure here and here (failure of the grape to develop after flowering). Summer was dry but not rainy with low temperatures. Finally, in mid-September, a change in weather brought a north wind, with cool temperatures. The conditions dried the vines and helped increase sugar levels while keeping acidity levels high. We have begun to pick the 22nd of September by the Chardonnay’s, Pinot’s could wait one more week.