Patrick Javillier : Meursault Village "Cuvée Tête de Murger" 2018

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Meursault Village "Cuvée Tête de Murger" 2018 by Patrick Javillier

Tasting

Color

The color shows a beautiful golden hue, characteristic of well-crafted Meursaults.

Nose

The nose gradually reveals fine mineral depth with citrus notes, notably yellow lemon.

Palate

The palate impresses with its remarkable quality. It offers great finesse alongside persistent aromatic freshness. The texture is broad, with evident minerality and a generous flavor. The wine pleasantly fills the mouth, carried by a supple, slightly grainy structure. Lemon flavors extend into a long, lingering finish, reflecting a fine balance between richness and vibrancy.

Food and wine pairings

This Meursault pairs ideally with refined fish such as grilled sea bass served with a beurre blanc sauce and parsnip purée. It also matches perfectly with simply seared scallops accompanied by a cauliflower mousseline. White meats in creamy sauces—such as poultry in cream with morels or braised veal with chanterelles and creamy polenta—make outstanding pairings. Shellfish such as grilled lobster with lemon butter and aged soft-ripened cheeses round out this wine harmoniously.

Serving and cellaring

This Meursault 2018 can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve favorably over the coming years, gradually developing notes of toasted hazelnut, gingerbread, and honey.

The finesse and minerality of a Meursault by Patrick Javillier

The estate

The Domaine Patrick Javillier traces its origins to 1945, when Raymond Javillier decided to cultivate two hectares of family vines in Meursault. In 1974, his son Patrick, trained in oenology in Dijon, officially took over the estate and began its gradual expansion. Today, Marion Javillier and Pierre-Emmanuel Lamy run the property, which spans ten hectares in the Côte de Beaune. The estate is renowned for its precise, thoughtful approach to winemaking, combining technical rigor with deep respect for the expression of Burgundy’s terroirs.

The vineyard

The vineyard of Meursault enjoys a strategic position in the Côte de Beaune, recognized worldwide as the capital of great white wines from Burgundy. The plots are located mid-slope, an ideal position that ensures an optimal balance between sun exposure and natural drainage. The soils are mainly composed of marl and limestone, with a significant presence of marine fossils that lends the wines distinctive minerality. This geological composition explains the characteristic mineral notes that define great Meursaults. The estate farms several prestigious climats including Tête de Murger, Les Clousots, and Les Tillets, each expressing the specific nuances of its terroir of origin.

The vintage

The year 2018 proved particularly favorable in Burgundy. After a wet start to spring, summer brought relative dryness without catastrophic weather events. A small amount of rain just before harvest provided welcome relief for the vines. This combination of conditions made it possible to produce grapes in outstanding health, with clean bunches and generous volumes. The 2018 vintage thus stands out for the absence of rot or disease issues, offering excellent overall quality that growers had not seen for several years.

Vinification and aging

Harvesting is carried out entirely by hand, allowing for optimal grape selection. After pneumatic pressing and settling, the must is transferred into oak barrels where it ferments with indigenous yeasts. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally, followed by aging for 16 to 18 months in barrels. During this period, the wines are regularly stirred (bâtonnage), enhancing their texture and complexity. The proportion of new oak varies depending on the cuvées and terroirs, allowing for subtle oak integration. The Meursault 2018 is bottled with minimal fining and filtration, thereby preserving the wine’s integrity and the authentic expression of the terroir.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay