France - Burgundy - Côte de Beaune - Meursault
Meursault: The Heart of Rich and Opulent White Burgundy
1. Location
Meursault is located in the Côte de Beaune sub-region of Burgundy, just south of Volnay and north of Puligny-Montrachet. It is known for producing some of the most renowned white wines in Burgundy, exclusively from Chardonnay. While there are no Grand Cru vineyards in Meursault, the village’s Premier Cru and village-level wines are highly regarded for their richness, elegance, and longevity.
2. Key Varietals
• Chardonnay (dominant in white wines)
• Pinot Noir (small amount of red wine production)
Meursault is famous for its Chardonnay, producing full-bodied, rich, and opulent white wines. Though a small amount of Pinot Noir is also produced, white wine is the primary focus of this village.
3. History
Winemaking in Meursault dates back to Roman times, but it was during the Middle Ages that the village’s vineyards gained prominence under the influence of the Cistercian monks. Over the centuries, Meursault became synonymous with luxurious, buttery Chardonnay that has earned a global reputation for quality. The village is sometimes overshadowed by its neighbors, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet, but many connoisseurs consider Meursault’s wines to be equally, if not more, complex and age-worthy.
4. Wine-Making History
The wines of Meursault are known for their richness and roundness, with a characteristic buttery texture and nutty flavors that come from the village’s unique terroir and winemaking practices. Fermentation typically takes place in French oak barrels, followed by aging in oak for 12 to 18 months, depending on the producer’s style. The proportion of new oak varies, but it is often balanced to add complexity without overpowering the wine’s natural flavors. Many producers also perform malolactic fermentation, which contributes to the wine’s characteristic creaminess and buttery notes.
Meursault wines are defined by their ability to combine richness with vibrant acidity and minerality, giving them a unique balance that allows for both early drinking and extended aging.
5. Region Facts
• Size: The Meursault AOC covers around 400 hectares of vineyards, including Premier Cru and village-level sites. There are no Grand Cru vineyards in Meursault, but some Premier Cru sites are considered to rival Grand Cru quality.
• Wine Style: Meursault is best known for its luxurious Chardonnay. The wines are typically full-bodied, with flavors of ripe orchard fruits (apple, pear), stone fruits (peach, apricot), buttered toast, hazelnut, and brioche, along with a distinctive mineral backbone. The wines often exhibit a creamy, rich texture due to malolactic fermentation and oak aging, while retaining fresh acidity and balance. Meursault wines can age for many years, developing even more complexity and depth over time.
• Production: The village primarily focuses on white wine production, though a small amount of Pinot Noir is produced from select vineyards.
6. Microclimate
Meursault enjoys a continental climate, with warm summers and cool winters, which is ideal for producing Chardonnay. The vineyards are planted on gentle, east-facing slopes, providing excellent sunlight exposure. The soils in Meursault are rich in limestone and marl, which contribute to the wines’ minerality and freshness. The higher proportion of limestone helps balance the natural richness of Meursault’s wines with a firm acidic backbone, giving them their characteristic combination of power and finesse.
7. Classification Wineries
Meursault wines are classified as Premier Cru and Village-level wines, since there are no Grand Cru vineyards in the appellation. However, the best Premier Cru sites are considered to produce wines of Grand Cru quality.
A. Premier Cru Vineyards
Meursault has 19 Premier Cru vineyards, and many of them are highly regarded for producing rich, complex Chardonnay. Some of the most notable Premier Cru sites include:
• Les Perrières: Often regarded as the top Premier Cru in Meursault, producing wines with exceptional minerality and structure. The wines from Les Perrières are often described as tense and precise, with the ability to age beautifully.
• Les Genevrières: Known for producing elegant, silky wines with flavors of ripe fruit, floral notes, and a distinctive mineral streak. The wines from Les Genevrières are complex and refined, with excellent aging potential.
• Les Charmes: One of the largest Premier Cru vineyards, Les Charmes produces wines that are rich, creamy, and opulent, with flavors of ripe stone fruits, butter, and hazelnuts.
• Clos des Perrières: A monopole (single-owner vineyard), producing wines that are incredibly focused and mineral-driven, known for their precision and length.
B. Village Appellations
The Village-level wines of Meursault are some of the most highly regarded in Burgundy, often displaying a quality that rivals Premier Cru wines from other villages. These wines are typically rich and creamy, with flavors of apple, pear, honey, and toasted nuts. They are accessible in their youth but can also age for several years, developing more complex flavors of caramel, hazelnut, and dried fruits.
8. Famous Wineries
• Domaine Coche-Dury: One of the most famous producers in Meursault, known for crafting rich, age-worthy Chardonnay with incredible depth and complexity. The wines from Coche-Dury are among the most sought-after in Burgundy.
• Domaine Roulot: Renowned for producing elegant, precise wines with a strong emphasis on minerality and freshness, particularly from Les Perrières and Les Charmes.
• Domaine des Comtes Lafon: A top producer in Meursault, known for producing powerful, rich Chardonnay from Les Genevrières and Les Perrières. The wines from Lafon are known for their longevity and complexity.
• Domaine Pierre Morey: A biodynamic producer making terroir-driven wines from both Premier Cru and village-level vineyards. The wines from Pierre Morey are known for their precision and balance.
• Domaine Jacques Prieur: Known for producing both white and red wines in Meursault, with a focus on rich, full-bodied Chardonnay.
Summary of Meursault
Meursault is one of the most prestigious villages in the Côte de Beaune, famous for producing opulent and rich Chardonnay wines that offer flavors of ripe fruits, butter, toasted nuts, and minerality. Though it has no Grand Cru vineyards, its Premier Cru sites—especially Les Perrières, Les Genevrières, and Les Charmes—are known for producing wines that rival Grand Cru quality. The wines of Meursault are typically full-bodied, with a creamy texture and vibrant acidity, making them both accessible in their youth and capable of aging for decades. Top producers like Domaine Coche-Dury, Domaine Roulot, and Domaine des Comtes Lafon have cemented Meursault’s reputation as one of Burgundy’s premier sources of luxurious, age-worthy Chardonnay.