Domaine du Château de Meursault : Aloxe-Corton 1er cru "Les Maréchaudes" 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru "Les Maréchaudes" 2021 from Domaine du Château de Meursault

Tasting

Appearance

The appearance features a dark, deep, and brilliant red color, characteristic of a fully ripened Pinot Noir.

Nose

The nose opens gradually with aromas of ripe red fruit, particularly cherry, accompanied by notes of kirsch, blackberry, and blackcurrant. With aeration, the bouquet reveals spicy and animal nuances that attest to the richness of the terroir and the age of the vines.

Palate

On the palate, this wine offers a concentrated and savory structure combining power and elegance. The attack is generous, supported by silky and refined tannins. The palate unveils beautiful aromatic persistence with flavors of red and black fruit, enhanced by welcome freshness. The finish lingers subtly, revealing delicate, perfectly integrated woody notes.

Food and Wine Pairings

The Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru "Les Maréchaudes" 2021 is the ideal accompaniment to grilled or roasted red meats, such as a prime rib or beef fillet. It also pairs wonderfully with feathered game like pheasant or partridge, as well as traditional dishes like Beef Bourguignon. For cheeses, opt for Époisses, aged Comté, or Saint-Nectaire. Game terrines and pâtés also make for excellent pairings.

Service and Cellaring

It is recommended to serve the Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru "Les Maréchaudes" 2021 at a temperature between 15 and 16°C. Decanting for about an hour before serving will allow the wine to fully reveal its aromatic complexity. This wine has a cellaring potential of approximately 8 to 10 years.

The concentration and refinement of a Burgundy Premier Cru

The Estate

Acquired by the Halley family in December 2012 under the direction of Olivier Halley, Domaine du Château de Meursault boasts origins dating back to the 11th century. Located in the heart of the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy, the estate now spans approximately 65 hectares spread across more than 110 plots, covering 35 different appellations, including six Grands Crus and twenty Premiers Crus. Under the management of Stéphane Follin-Arbelet and with Emmanuel Escutenaire as Cellar Master, the property has been committed to certified organic viticulture since the 2022 vintage. The estate was recently honored as "Estate of the Year" at the London Wine Competition 2025, confirming the excellence of its wines.

The Vineyard

The Aloxe-Corton Premier Cru "Les Maréchaudes" comes from an exceptional terroir located at the foot of the Corton hill, just above the village of Ladoix-Serrigny. The vines, planted approximately 65 years ago, benefit from an ideal east and south-east exposure for Pinot Noir ripening. The soils consist of a complex mix of clay, limestone, and marl, enriched with siliceous pebbles and reddish-brown earth characteristic of the Corton geological formation. Situated between 229 and 253 meters above sea level on a 10 to 15% slope, this *climat* enjoys optimal conditions for producing structured and complex red wines. The estate practices organic viticulture with manual harvesting and rigorous grape sorting.

The Vintage

The 2021 vintage in Burgundy offered favorable conditions following a more challenging 2020. The season allowed for good accumulation of sugars and phenolic compounds, while preserving the freshness necessary for the wine's balance. The specific exposure of the Maréchaudes terroir contributed to creating an optimal microclimate during the year, favoring harmonious grape ripening.

Winemaking and Aging

After manual harvesting and meticulous sorting on a selection table, the grapes for the Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru "Les Maréchaudes" 2021 are entirely destemmed before being vinified in open vats. Fermentation, lasting approximately eighteen days, is carried out with alternating punch-downs and pump-overs to delicately extract tannins and aromas. After pneumatic pressing, the wine is aged for twelve to eighteen months in oak barrels, with about 10% new barrels, 60% one- to two-wine barrels, and the remainder in stainless steel vats. This approach adds complexity without masking the expression of the terroir.

Grape

Pinot Noir (100%)