Domaine Ballot-Millot : Meursault 1er cru "Perrières" 2023

The mineral expression of a white Meursault wine

The estate

Officially founded in 1680, Domaine Ballot-Millot is a historic figure in Burgundy, France, located at the heart of Meursault. Today, Charles Ballot passionately runs this family estate of around ten hectares, carrying on expertise passed down through more than fifteen generations. A committed advocate of environmentally friendly viticulture, the estate favours sustainable and organic farming practices. Thanks to a minimalist approach in the cellar and deep respect for the terroir, Domaine Ballot-Millot is renowned for producing pure, precise wines that rank among the finest expressions of the Côte de Beaune.

The vineyard

The Perrières climat, located south of the village of Meursault towards Puligny-Montrachet, benefits from an ideal south-east exposure, just below the crest of the slope. The vines, around forty years old, thrive on a distinctive terroir made up of light clay and white marl rich in fractured limestone. This abundance of stony pebbles gives the wine its characteristic minerality. The vineyard is cultivated with great care, favouring regular ploughing and severe pruning to control yields, ensuring excellent grape concentration.

The vintage

The 2023 growing season was marked by a green harvest at the end of July, followed by particularly mild summer temperatures at the end of August, creating favourable weather conditions for a very promising quality potential.

Winemaking and aging

Hand-harvested grapes are followed by long, gentle whole-bunch pressing. The alcoholic fermentation of this Meursault 1er Cru "Perrières" 2023 takes place slowly, thanks to indigenous yeasts, in French oak barrels, with no bâtonnage whatsoever. The wine is then aged for twelve months in barrels, with a maximum of 25% new oak, preserving all its delicacy. Finally, it is transferred to stainless steel tanks for an additional six months of refinement before a light filtration and bottling.

Grape variety

Chardonnay (100%).

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Meursault 1er Cru "Perrières" 2023 from Domaine Ballot-Millot

Tasting notes

Color
The colour reveals a pale lemon-yellow hue with green tints, which can evolve towards a deep gold with silvery highlights.

Nose
Wonderfully complex, the bouquet exudes aromas of white flowers, citrus zest and ripe lemon. It then opens up to reveal mineral notes of flint, complemented by subtle touches of fresh almond and toasted bread.

Palate
On the palate, this wine seduces with its silky texture and powerful structure, carried by a vibrant tension. The balance between ripe fruit and a saline acidity leads to a long, lingering finish, marked by notes of chalk and toasted hazelnut.

Service and storage

With its fine structure, this Meursault 1er Cru "Perrières" 2023 can be enjoyed now but will continue to develop favourably in the cellar until around 2033.

Food and wine pairing

This white wine pairs beautifully with delicate seafood such as grilled lobster, langoustines or sole with beurre blanc. It also complements regional dishes such as veal sweetbreads with morels, white truffle risotto, or characterful cheeses like Époisses and Roquefort.