Domaine du Château de Meursault : Corton Grand cru "Les Maréchaudes" 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Corton Grand Cru "Les Maréchaudes" 2021 from Domaine du Château de Meursault

Tasting

Appearance

The appearance displays a deep ruby red hue, enhanced by pronounced garnet highlights.

Nose

The bouquet reveals itself gradually upon aeration, unveiling a beautiful aromatic complexity. Notes of ripe red fruit, notably cherry and raspberry, intermingle with nuances of black fruit such as blackberry and blackcurrant. Touches of delicate spice and subtle toasted notes harmoniously complete the ensemble.

Palate

On the palate, this wine seduces with its elegance and refined structure. The polished and silky tannins bring a velvety texture, while a balanced acidity confers tension and freshness. The finish is distinguished by its remarkable persistence, where the mineral characteristics of the limestone terroir add a saline dimension that prolongs the tasting experience.

Food and wine pairings

This Corton Grand Cru is the ideal accompaniment to roasted or braised red meats, such as beef fillet stuffed with mushrooms and truffle mashed potatoes. It also pairs perfectly with noble poultry like duck, pheasant or venison. Matured washed-rind cheeses are also a choice pairing.

Serving and storage

The Corton Grand Cru "Les Maréchaudes" 2021 is best tasted at a temperature between 16 and 17°C. Decanting for thirty to sixty minutes before serving will allow the wine to fully express its aromatic palette. Accessible now, this wine can be appreciated until around 2036 and will continue to improve beyond that under good storage conditions.

The balance and structure of a Beaune Grand Cru

The estate

Domaine du Château de Meursault dates back to the 11th century and was truly established in 1666 under the impetus of Pierre de Blancheton. Since December 2012, the estate has been owned by the Halley family, under the management of Olivier Halley. The estate now spans approximately 67 hectares spread across more than 110 plots, covering thirty-five different appellations in Burgundy. Certified organic since the 2022 vintage, Château de Meursault is distinguished by its environmental commitment and the exceptional quality of its wines from prestigious terroirs of the Côte de Beaune.

The vineyard

Corton Grand Cru "Les Maréchaudes" comes from a climat located on the lower slope of the famous hill of Corton, the only red Grand Cru of the Côte de Beaune. The estate's plots, of approximately 1.5 hectares, benefit from an east-southeast exposure and rest on characteristic clay-limestone soils. The altitude, ranging between 229 and 253 meters, favors optimal ripening of the grapes. The red soils rich in iron, dotted with limestone rocks, confer typicity and a distinctive structure to the wine. The steep slope of the terrain ensures natural drainage and contributes to the concentration of the berries.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Burgundy was characterized by cooler and more classic conditions compared to previous years. After a winter marked by an intense frost episode, spring allowed for flowering in late May. The months of June and July proved particularly rainy, followed by weather instability between mid-July and mid-August. These conditions ultimately produced wines of great aromatic purity and remarkable structural balance.

Vinification and aging

The Corton Grand Cru "Les Maréchaudes" 2021 is vinified using methods that respect the terroir. Harvesting is carried out manually with a rigorous selection of the grapes. Plot-based vinification is carried out with indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled vats, accompanied by manual pump-overs. After malolactic fermentation in barrels, the wine benefits from meticulous aging allowing for the optimal expression of the terroir.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir