Château de Chamirey : Mercurey 1er cru "Clos l'Évêque" 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Mercurey 1er cru "Clos l'Évêque" 2021 from Château de Chamirey

Tasting

Appearance

The appearance reveals a bright ruby-red hue, enhanced by violet highlights that reflect the wine’s youth.

Nose

The nose opens with aromas of red and black fruit, with notes of plum, blackcurrant, and blackberry. Spicy and smoky nuances add complexity, accompanied by subtle floral touches and delicate oaky influences.

Palate

On the palate, this wine charms with its elegance and refined structure. The tannins are fine and well integrated, while the texture is dense and velvety. The palate shows lovely fruity richness, balanced by a mineral freshness that brings tension. The finish lingers with notes of white pepper and licorice.

Food and wine pairings

This Mercurey 1er cru "Clos l'Évêque" 2021 pairs perfectly with grilled or roasted red meats, such as boeuf bourguignon or a herb-crusted leg of lamb. It also pairs very well with poultry in sauce, game, or aged cheeses such as Comté or mature Cheddar.

Service and storage

It is recommended to serve the Mercurey 1er cru "Clos l'Évêque" 2021 at a temperature of 15-16°C to fully appreciate its aromas. This wine can be cellared until around 2041, with an optimal drinking window between 2028 and 2035.

An elegant, structured Mercurey Premier Cru, expressing a high-altitude terroir in the Côte Chalonnaise

The estate

Established in the 1930s in Mercurey, in Burgundy (Côte Chalonnaise), Château de Chamirey is today the largest estate in the appellation with 37 hectares, including 15 hectares of Premiers Crus, among them the monopoles “Les Ruelles” (red) and “La Mission” (white). The estate has belonged to the Devillard family since 1932 and is currently run by Amaury and Aurore Devillard, the 5th generation. A pioneer, the estate has bottled at the property since its inception, practicing sustainable viticulture.

The vineyard

Clos l'Évêque is located in the northern part of the Mercurey appellation, on a plateau reaching the highest point in the entire appellation. This 2.06-hectare vineyard enjoys an ideal south-easterly exposure and sits on light, stony clay-limestone soils that are particularly rich in limestone. The vines, planted in 1986 with partial replanting in 2007, benefit from this privileged position, which promotes optimal photosynthesis and excellent grape ripeness.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage proved particularly challenging in Bourgogne. A devastating frost in April affected the young buds, followed by wet, unstable conditions from May to mid-August. Despite these climatic challenges, the winegrowers showed constant vigilance and rigorous selection. Reduced yields made it possible to focus efforts on the quality of the remaining grapes, giving rise to wines that are elegant, fresh, and beautifully structured.

Winemaking and aging

The Mercurey 1er cru "Clos l'Évêque" 2021 grapes are harvested by hand in small crates. After meticulous sorting, the grapes are fully destemmed and then undergo a cold pre-fermentation maceration for four to six days at 10°C. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts, starting at 24°C and reaching 31°C at the end of the process, with regular punch-downs. A post-fermentation maceration of around two weeks follows, before 17 months of aging in 228-liter French oak barrels, 30% of which are new.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir.