Domaine Lorenzon : Mercurey 1er Cru "Pièce 15" 2021

Tasting notes and serving suggestions for the Mercurey 1er Cru "Pièce 15" 2021 from Domaine Lorenzon

Tasting

Appearance
A golden-yellow hue highlighted by subtle green glints dresses this vintage, reflecting its youth and freshness.

Nose
The bouquet reveals remarkable aromatic complexity. On opening, bright citrus notes of lime and grapefruit come through with vibrancy, alongside delicate floral scents of white flowers, jasmine and verbena. A mineral dimension reminiscent of marble dust and wet pebbles enriches the aromatic profile. As it aerates, the nose evolves toward indulgent aromas of white-fleshed fruits, notably Anjou pear, white peach and apricot, rounded out by a creamy, vanilla-tinged note. Spicy nuances of green pepper and juniper berry add an extra layer to this dense, evolving bouquet.

Palate
The attack reveals a generous, savory core, carried by a silky texture and a finely chiseled mineral backbone. The wine unfolds on the palate in successive waves, expressing flavors of white fruits and citrus, notably mandarin and yuzu lemon, amplified by a spicy expression of the soils that electrifies the taste buds. The balance between fruit, acidity and minerality remains impeccable throughout the tasting. The finish arrives like an undercurrent—powerful and unwavering—with exceptionally long aromatic persistence that beautifully intertwines fruit, soil and the vine’s energy. A stony mineral vibration accompanies this remarkable finish.

Food and wine pairing

This white Mercurey 1er Cru pairs wonderfully with shellfish such as crab served with a citrus butter sauce. It also elevates delicate white-fleshed fish, creamy poultry dishes, as well as a Burgundian gougère. Hard cheeses such as Comté or Beaufort also make excellent pairings.

Serving and cellaring

The Mercurey 1er Cru "Pièce 15" 2021 will benefit from being decanted for at least one hour before serving to encourage aromatic opening. This wine can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve through around 2040, developing buttery notes and greater depth over time.

An exceptional white Mercurey combining minerality and concentration in Côte Chalonnaise

The estate

The Domaine Lorenzon was founded in 1920 in Mercurey by Georges Lorenzon. Taken over in 1997 by Bruno Lorenzon, the estate now spans nine hectares, including six in the Mercurey appellation and three in Montagny, with around 70% of the plots classified as premier cru. Trained at the Beaune wine school and having gained international experience in New Zealand and South Africa, notably in cooperage, Bruno Lorenzon embodies a philosophy of absolute precision and respect for terroir. The estate stands out for its non-interventionist approach and exacting standards that elevate its wines to the level of the great Burgundies. Recognized by prestigious guides with four stars from Bettane & Desseauve and two stars from La Revue du Vin de France, Domaine Lorenzon is one of the benchmark names of Côte Chalonnaise.

The vineyard

The Mercurey 1er Cru "Pièce 15" comes from a rigorous selection of fifteen tiny parcel “islets” scattered across three prestigious premier crus: Champs Martin, Croichots and Clos des Barraults. These plots rest on clay-limestone soils and benefit from optimal south and southwest exposures. The vines come from a massal selection dating back to 1950, ensuring genetic authenticity and naturally low yields. The estate practices demanding viticulture with planting density reaching up to twenty thousand vines per hectare and high trellising up to 1.8 meters. The soils have seen no herbicides for over thirty years, reflecting a deep commitment to environmental respect. Deliberately limited yields of around twenty-five hectoliters per hectare deliver exceptional grape concentration.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Bourgogne was shaped by a harsh winter followed by a spring frost episode of rare intensity that affected the entire French vineyard. Milder conditions then encouraged flowering at the end of May. June and July were particularly rainy, followed by unstable weather from mid-July to mid-August. Despite these climatic challenges, the estate’s high-altitude vines, supported by rigorous farming practices, produced grapes of remarkable quality, combining freshness and concentration.

Vinification and aging

The grapes for Mercurey 1er Cru "Pièce 15" 2021 are harvested by hand into small six-kilogram crates, then immediately cooled to 3°C to preserve their aromatic integrity. A berry-by-berry selection is carried out to keep only the finest fruit. Vinification takes place in oak barrels entirely designed by Bruno Lorenzon himself, made from Burgundian wood seasoned for three years. Aging continues for twenty months in these non-new barrels, thereby preserving the purity of the terroir and grape variety aromas. The wine is then transferred to stainless-steel tanks for an additional four months of maturation, allowing for harmonious final integration of flavors before bottling.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay