Domaine Merlin : Saint-Véran Village "Côte Rotie" 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Saint-Véran Village "Côte Rotie" 2023 Domaine Merlin

Tasting

Colour
The colour of this white wine from France reveals a very pale golden-yellow hue, crystal clear and brilliant, adorned with subtle green highlights in its youth.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet reveals scents of orchard fruits such as peach and pear, intertwined with delicate floral notes of acacia and honeysuckle. Nuances of fresh almond, hazelnut, butter and cinnamon enrich this palette, underscored by a lovely minerality.

Palate
The attack is lively and precise, evolving towards a round and subtly rich texture. This dry wine stands out for its pronounced minerality reminiscent of flint. The whole is harmonious and fresh, extending into a long finish where fruity and mineral notes linger.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs wonderfully with poached or pan-fried fatty fish, as well as with seafood and shellfish. It also perfectly complements a mushroom or seafood risotto, light terrines, or cheeses such as goat cheese, Comté, Beaufort or Gruyère.

Service and storage

For optimal enjoyment, it is recommended to serve the Saint-Véran Village "Côte Rotie" 2023 at a temperature between 9 and 11°C. When stored under good conditions, this wine can be cellared and enjoyed until around 2033.

The authentic expression of a Burgundy terroir by Domaine Merlin

The estate

Founded on 1 January 1987 by Olivier and Corinne Merlin, Domaine Merlin is located in the village of La Roche-Vineuse, at the heart of the Mâconnais in Burgundy. Starting from a 4.5-hectare vineyard in need of complete rehabilitation, the founders raised the estate to the ranks of the region's finest thanks to a philosophy centred on respect for the soil. Today, the estate spans around twenty hectares. The transition is now being carried out by the new generation, Paul and Théo Merlin, who now run the estate, continuing this quest for harmony and purity.

The vineyard

The plot producing this Saint-Véran is located on the southern slope of the Roche de Vergisson, at an altitude ranging between 325 and 350 metres. This very sunny, early-ripening terroir benefits from cooling mistral winds. The Chardonnay vines thrive on shallow, hard and stony soils composed of limestone dating back to the Middle Jurassic period. The estate favours sustainable viticulture, free of herbicides, with soil work carried out by ploughing, sometimes using horses, and exclusively hand-picked harvests.

The vintage

The year 2023 began with an exceptional flowering, providing ideal conditions for optimal fruit set. The growing cycle was marked by early ripening and generous yields. August brought scorching temperatures, requiring increased vigilance in the vineyard to preserve the freshness of the berries. The harvest took place under favourable conditions between 9 and 25 September, marking a return to a more traditional harvest calendar.

Winemaking and aging

To craft the Saint-Véran Village "Côte Rotie" 2023, the whole bunches undergo direct pressing. The juice is then lightly cold-settled in stainless steel tanks. Alcoholic fermentation begins naturally through indigenous yeasts. Aging takes place first for one year in oak barrels, both new and used, to impart texture, then continues for four months in stainless steel tanks to preserve aromatic purity. The wine is finally racked and lightly filtered before bottling, without any fining.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay