Having taken over the estate previously known as Domaine de la Vieille Fontaine at the beginning of 2021, Raphael has kept his foot on the gas as he develops the domaine into something representative of his family. This means taking unique approaches to the viticulture with purchasing an old fire truck, surprising most with how helpful it has been to store ample liquids in the tank along with all the necessary equipment attached to its sides. Not simply following his father's footsteps, Raphael has let his father, Alain, keep focus on their successful négociant based in Savigny les Beaune, yet still drawing from his expertise in marketing great Burgundy wines for over 35 years.
Today we have three new cuvees for you to try with the previously mentioned Les Petits Champs Ronds alongside the Mercurey 'Les Chazeaux' and L'Assemblage. Les Petits Champs Ronds is the youngest selection of vines and considered as the 'barrel of fun'. The plot located at the bottom of Mercurey near the quarry can not only boast a terrain as complex and magical as Cortechat but is crafted with the same care as all the other wines. Mercurey 'Les Chazeaux' is named after some of the best 1st crus of the region and with a surface of 0.22 hectares, this parcel offers naturally millerand and very concentrated grapes while retaining the elegance and precision of the field! Finally, the L'Assemblage cuvee was only bottled in magnum and is the combination of several plots including: Les Crêts, Les Chazeaux, En Grillot and Cortechat. On the label, all the details of the drawing have a meaning and explain the origin of this wine for you to find them.
Alongside these new and exciting wines we have the full range of crus. After Raphael burst onto the scene with his first vintage, he is now showing his skills through the 2022s and his representation of the great Côte Chalonnaise.
TASTING NOTES
BOURGOGNE BLANC "PETITS RONDS" 2022
From vines planted in 1970, the grapes are grown on just 0.3540ha of terroir. Les Petits Champs Ronds is the youngest selection of vines and considered as the 'barrel of fun'. The plot located at the bottom of Mercurey near the quarry can not only boast a terrain as complex and magical as Cortechat but is crafted with the same care as all the other wines.
BOURGOGNE ROUGE "LES CORTECHATS" 2022
From vines planted in 1959, the grapes are grown on 1.03 ha of terroir. "Unwinds in the glass with aromas of wild berries, plums, smoked duck, spices and peonies. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and concentrated, with lively acids and powdery, chalky tannins, it will round out with further élevage." 89-91 pts, William Kelley - Wine Advocate. 2021 Review
BOURGOGNE ROUGE "ASSEMBLAGE" 2022
This L’ Assemblage, only bottled in Magnum from the vineyards Cortechat, Grillot, Chazeaux & Crêts produces just a total production of 292 bottles. On the label, all the details of the drawing have a meaning and explain the origin of this wine for you to find them.
MERCUREY BLANC "LE CLOS PONTOT" 2022
From vines planted in 1951, and a plot just 0.403ha in surface area. This blanc shows lovely fleshy orchard fruits, white peach and citrus notes. The attack on the palate is ample and silky, vibrant with great structure. It finishes with a lovely minerality, and saline, sour fruit.
MERCUREY ROUGE "LE CLOS PONTOT" 2022
A monopole of the domaine (owned completely by Domaine Corcia), these vines were replanted in 1974 and now produce a lovely Pinot Noir."Exhibits aromas of sweet plums and spices mingled with hints of forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and textural, with bright acids, powdery tannins and impressive concentration for the vintage, it's a characterful wine in the making." 88-90 pts, William Kelley - Wine Advocate. 2021 Review
MERCUREY ROUGE "CHAZEAUX" 2022
With a surface area of just 0.22ha, the Mercurey “Le Chazeaux” is crafted from vines planted in 1960-1970. Named after some of the best 1st crus of the region, this parcel offers naturally millerand and very concentrated grapes while retaining the elegance and precision of the field!
MERCUREY ROUGE "EN GRILLOT" 2022
Old vines, planted from 1940 to 1950, the Mercurey “En Grillot” is made from a section of plot 0.53ha in size."Textural and charming, the 2021 Mercurey En Grillot delivers aromas of cherries, sweet berries, kirsch, spices and rose petals, followed by a medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy palate that's giving and enveloping." 89-91 pts, William Kelley - Wine Advocate. 2021 Review
MERCUREY 1ER CRU BLANC "LES CRÊTS" 2022
From old vines planted in 1949, this small production of 0.23ha of vines produces a wine that is powerful and mineral on the nose. This ample wine finds a great balance on the palate with white fruits, peach skin, and citrus notes. It is both rich and well proportioned.
MERCUREY 1ER CRU ROUGE "LES CRÊTS" 2022
Planted across 0.547ha of land, the vines are from 1949 and now produce a lovely, developed pinot noir grape for vinifying. "Aromas of red berries, rose petals and subtle spices introduce the 2021 Mercurey 1er Cru Les Crêts, a medium to full-bodied, lively and precise wine that's mineral and ethereal in profile. Bright and precise, it shows considerable promise." 89-91+ pts, William Kelley - Wine Advocate. 2021 Review.
