Domaine Lorenzon : Mercurey 1er Cru "Pièce 15" 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Mercurey 1er Cru "Pièce 15" 2023 by Domaine Lorenzon

Tasting

Colour
The colour reveals a golden hue, ranging from pale to medium, characteristic of Chardonnays born on limestone terroirs.

Nose
The nose reveals a complex bouquet of great purity, blending crisp stone fruit aromas, Anjou pear and white flowers. Subtle notes of fresh bread, praline and orange oil intertwine with a mineral thread evoking wet stone.

Palate
On the palate, this wine unfolds a silky, buttery texture, underpinned by remarkable tension and mineral precision. The whole offers a lovely concentration and a vibrant acidity, stretching towards a persistent finish with chalky dry extracts.

Food and Wine Pairing

This Mercurey 1er Cru "Pièce 15" pairs harmoniously with poultry such as chicken or turkey, as well as with fish and seafood enhanced by a cream or beurre blanc sauce. It also pairs beautifully with Asian cuisine featuring fresh herbs, soft or hard aged cheeses, and is perfectly enjoyable as an aperitif.

Service and Storage

This Mercurey 1er Cru "Pièce 15" 2023 already shows a beautiful profile but will reach its full potential after a few years in the cellar. It can be enjoyed until at least 2040.

The Elegance and Mineral Precision of a White Burgundy

The Estate

Officially founded in 1958, Domaine Lorenzon has established itself as an unmissable reference in Burgundy, in the Côte Chalonnaise. Led since 1997 by Bruno Lorenzon, supported by his sister Caroline, the estate now spans a vineyard of 9 to 10 hectares. Drawing on his international experience, the current owner instils a philosophy centred on minimal intervention and absolute purity. The estate stands out for its meticulous, craftsman-like viticulture, free of chemical herbicides for three decades, elevating its cuvées to the pinnacle of terroir expression.

The Vineyard

The grapes for this cuvée come from fifteen small plots of old vines located at the heart of the Mercurey appellation. The terroir is characterised by highly calcareous, stony soils with a low proportion of clay, providing optimal drainage. The vines, facing south and south-west, benefit from very high-density planting and high trellising that favours photosynthesis. The vineyard is cultivated according to organic farming principles, with meticulous mechanical soil work.

The Vintage

2023 began with a mild, dry winter, followed by a period alternating between rain and temperature fluctuations, allowing for calm vegetative development. From 20 August, a heatwave exceeding 35 degrees sharply accelerated ripening. A timely rainfall on 28 August helped perfect the balance before a very swift harvest at the start of September, preserving all the freshness of the berries.

Winemaking and Aging

The grapes for this Mercurey 1er Cru "Pièce 15" 2023 are hand-harvested into small six-kilogram crates and then transported under controlled temperature. At the winery, whole-cluster pressing lasting around four hours allows the best compounds to be extracted. Fermentation takes place in old oak barrels over six to eight weeks. Aging continues in barrels, with very light toasting, for nearly twenty months, followed by four months' refinement in stainless steel tanks. The wine is bottled without fining or filtration.

Grape Variety

Chardonnay (100%)