Domaine du Château de Meursault : Beaune 1er cru "Fèves" 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Beaune 1er Cru "Fèves" 2021 from Domaine du Château de Meursault

Tasting

Color

The color displays a pale to medium ruby tint, characteristic of this vintage marked by progressive ripeness and demanding weather conditions.

Nose

The nose expresses delicate aromas of red fruit, evoking cherry, raspberry and strawberry, accompanied by subtle notes of white pepper and sweet spices. This aromatic finesse reflects the minimalist approach adopted during vinification.

Palate

On the palate, the wine reveals a slender and elegant structure, supported by fine, silky tannins. The lively acidity, a signature of this vintage, brings a tonic freshness and dynamic tension. The minerality of the clay-limestone terroir expresses itself with precision, offering a chiseled and persistent finish, without excessive alcoholic heat.

Food and wine pairings

This Beaune 1er Cru "Fèves" 2021 pairs harmoniously with feathered game like pheasant, or furred game such as venison, roasted or in a stew. It also elegantly accompanies roasted poultry served with butter or mushroom sauces, as well as duck prepared with a red berry sauce. Charcuterie lovers will appreciate its pairing with country ham or a slightly sweet pork loin. A truffle risotto or a preparation highlighting mushrooms would also constitute a remarkable pairing.

Service and storage

The Beaune 1er Cru "Fèves" 2021 is ideally served at a temperature between 15 and 16°C. Opening one to two hours before serving will allow the wine to express itself fully without excessive oxidation.

An elegant and mineral Beaune Premier Cru

The estate

Founded in the 11th century, Domaine du Château de Meursault stands out today as one of the most prestigious estates in Burgundy. Owned by Olivier Halley since late 2012 and managed by Stéphane Follin-Arbelet, the estate stretches over 67 hectares distributed across more than 100 plots, including 6 Grands Crus and 20 Premiers Crus. Since 2022, it holds the status of the largest certified organic producer in Meursault. The estate's philosophy rests on a non-interventionist approach, favoring the natural expression of the terroirs through respectful viticultural practices and minimalist vinification.

The vineyard

The Fèves climat, whose name comes from the Old French meaning beech tree, is located in the north of the Beaune appellation. This 4.41-hectare plot rises between 240 and 260 meters in altitude on clay-limestone soils. The terroir benefits from a favorable exposure allowing the Pinot Noir to express itself in all its finesse. Domaine du Château de Meursault possesses plots in this prestigious climat, cultivated according to organic farming principles with particular attention paid to soil health and biodiversity.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Burgundy was one of the most difficult years of the last decades. After a mild winter and an early spring, devastating frosts struck in April, particularly affecting the best Premiers and Grands Crus located mid-slope. Chardonnay, budding earlier, suffered significant losses. Wet conditions favorable to mildew followed, requiring intensive canopy management. Fortunately, August and September offered sunny and dry conditions allowing for healthy ripening of the surviving grapes. This vintage, described as "retro", is characterized by marked acidity and natural elegance, recalling wines from another era while benefiting from modern viticultural techniques.

Winemaking and aging

The Beaune 1er Cru "Fèves" 2021 was crafted according to the estate's non-interventionist philosophy. The grapes, meticulously sorted and selected, were vinified with increased reliance on natural yeasts. The use of gravity replaced pumping to limit handling. Aging in wood lasted from 12 to 18 months with generally less than 30% new barrels, allowing for the preservation of fruit purity and terroir expression. This minimalist approach favored the development of a velvety texture characteristic of the estate's reds.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir