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Bourgogne Blanc
Tasting
On the nose, the wine is very aromatic, with notes of exotic fruits. The mouth is very fruity and supple, with aromas of white peach. A refreshing cuvée, to be drunk within 2 to 3 years.
Terroir
Assembly of different plots of land on La Roche-Vineuse and Chaintré. The soils are all Quaternary clay-limestone.
Viticulture
Grape variety: Chardonnay
Plantation density: 8000 plants/ha
Average yield: 50 hl/ha
Tillage
Harvesting by hand
Vinification
Direct pressing of the whole harvest. Slight settling. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Racking, then light filtration before bottling. Maturing period in stainless steel tanks of about 16 months. No gluing.
Mâcon La Roche Vineuse
Tasting
Very beautiful pale gold colour. Very fruity nose, on a register of exotic aromas. On the palate, the minerality of the terroir of La Roche-Vineuse expresses itself well. Nice balance between alcohol and acidity. It's a refreshing wine to drink in its youth.
Terroir
Quaternary clay-limestone soil (Bathonian, Bajocian)
Exposure: south, south-west
Altitude: 250 to 350 m
Slope: from 5 to 35%
Viticulture
Grape variety: Chardonnay
Density: 8000 plants/ha
Average yield: 60 hl/ha
Harvesting by hand
Tillage
Vinification
Direct pressing of the whole harvest and very light settling of the must. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. After 15 months of ageing, the wine is lightly filtered before bottling. No gluing.
Mâcon La Roche Vineuse Vieilles Vignes
Tasting
Beautiful aromatic freshness on the nose with notes of white peach and pear. A rich and complex wine, very well balanced on the palate. The strong minerality of the terroir gives this wine a very persistent finish.
Terroir
Quaternary clay-limestone soil (Bathonian, Bajocian)
Exposition: south, south-west
Altitude: 300 m
Slope: from 5 to 20%
Viticulture
Grape variety: Chardonnay
Plantation density: 8000 plants/ha
Average yield: 50 hl/ha
Tillage
Harvesting by hand
Vinification
Direct pressing, light settling in stainless steel tanks, alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in oak barrels. Aged for one year in barrels, then 4 months in stainless steel tanks. Racking, then light filtration on Kieselguhr before bottling. No gluing.
Mâcon La Roche Vineuse Les Cras
Single vineyard site on the commune of La Roche Vineuse
Tasting
Beautiful pale gold colour. On the nose, we perceive a rich, powerful and complex wine with hazelnut aromas. On the palate, the wine is very powerful, with a very strong minerality linked to the very high level of active limestone present in the soil. Very long persistence in the mouth. Optimum tasting: from 3 to 10 years.
Terroir
Quaternary clay-limestone soil (Middle Bathonian)
Exposition: south-west
Altitude: 300 m
Slope: 5%
Viticulture
Grape variety: Chardonnay
Plantation density: 8000 plants/ha
Average yield: 40 hl/ha
Harvesting by hand
Tillage
Vinification
Direct pressing, light settling, alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in oak barrels. Aged 18 months in barrels. Racking, then light filtration before bottling. No gluing.
Saint-Véran
Tasting
Belle couleur or vert.
Nez de fleurs blanches (aubépine).
En bouche, ce vin est souple et élégant, avec une belle fraîcheur aromatique.
A boire sur le fruit dans les 2 à 3 ans.
Terroir
Quaternary clay-limestone soil (Bathonian)
Exposure: south
Altitude: 250 m
Slope: 5%.
Very early situation
Viticulture
Grape variety: Chardonnay
Plantation density: 8000 plants/ha
Average yield: 50 hl/ha
Harvesting by hand
Tillage
Vinification
Direct pressing, light settling, alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in oak barrels. Aged for 10 months in barrels, racking, then light filtration before bottling. No gluing.
Saint-Véran Le Grand Bussière
Single vineyard site on the commune of Prissé
Tasting
Beautiful gold green colour. Very expressive nose with slightly muscat notes, a little exotic. On the palate, the wine is very flattering, suave, with a beautiful minerality on the finish.
Terroir
Quaternary clay-limestone soil (Middle Bathonian)
Exposure: south-east
Altitude: 220 m
Slope: 5%
Very early ripening situation
Viticulture
Grape variety: Chardonnay
Plantation density: 8000 plants/ha
Average yield: 50 hl/ha
Tillage
Harvesting by hand
Vinification
Direct pressing, light settling, alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in oak barrels. Matured for 12 months in barrels and 6 months in stainless steel tanks. Racking, then light filtration before bottling. No gluing.
Pouilly-Fuissé
Tasting
Beautiful gold green colour. The nose evokes aromas of white peach and pear William. On the palate, the wine is unctuous, smooth and very round. Beautiful freshness and minerality on the finish. Drink within 2 to 4 years.
Terroir
Quaternary clay-limestone soil (Bathonian Bajocian)
Exposition: south-east
Altitude: 280 m on average
Slope: 8%
Viticulture
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Density: 10,000 feet/ha
Average yield: 55 hl/ha
Tillage
Harvesting by hand
Vinification
Direct pressing, light settling in stainless steel tanks, alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in oak barrels. Aged for 12 months in barrels. Racking, then light filtration before bottling. No gluing.
Pouilly-Fuissé
Vieilles Vignes
Tasting
Beautiful pale gold colour. The nose is powerful with notes of white flowers (hawthorn) and vanilla. On the palate, the wine is complex and fat, classic of its appellation. Because of its roundness, it gives a lot of immediate pleasure. Optimum tasting: from 2 to 6 years.
Terroir
Quaternary clay-limestone soil
Exposition: east
Altitude: 280 m
Slope: 10%
Viticulture
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Density: 9000 plants/ha
Average yield: 50 hl/ha
Harvesting by hand
Vinification
Direct pressing, light settling, alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in oak barrels. Matured for 12 months in barrels, then 6 months in stainless steel tanks. Racking, then light filtration before bottling. No gluing.
Pouilly-Fuissé
Sur La Roche
History
Vineyard on the commune of Vergisson, classified as a premier cru in 2020
Tasting
Beautiful pale gold colour. The nose evokes buttery and grilled almond aromas. In the mouth,
The very pronounced mineral character of the terroir gives a lot of purity (flint). Very nice finish, long and persistent.
Terroir
Quaternary clay-limestone soil (Lower Aalenian)
Exposition: south-east
Altitude: 370 m
Slope: 10%
Viticulture
Grape variety: Chardonnay
Density: 10000 plants/ha
Average yield: 45 hl/ha
Harvesting by hand
Vinification
Direct pressing, light settling, alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in oak barrels. Aged 18 months in barrels. Racking, then light filtration before bottling. No gluing.
Pouilly-Fuissé
Les Chevrières
History
Single vineyard site on the commune of Chaintré, Classified as a premier cru since 2020
Tasting
Citrus and white flower notes on the nose. On the palate, good balance, complexity and minerality, with a beautiful amplitude. Located in the commune of Chaintré, the southernmost commune of the appellation, this wine is mineral, ideal with fish or poultry. Ageing potential: 8-10 years:
Terroir
Clay-limestone soil with high iron oxide content
Exposition: West
Altitude: 250 m
Slope: 15 %
Viticulture
Grape variety : Chardonnay
Plantation density: 10000 plants/ha
Age of the vines : 75 years old
Average yield: 40 hl/ha
Harvesting by hand
Vinification
Direct pressing of the whole harvest, light settling, malolactic alcoholic fermentation is carried out in oak barrels to completely stabilize the wine. Aged on fine lees for 18 months. Racking then light filtration before bottling. No gluing.
Bourgogne Rouge
Tasting
Beautiful purple color. Intense nose of raspberry and strawberry puree. Very nice structure in the mouth with velvety and silky tannins. Rich, deep wine with a very nice length in the mouth.
Optimum tasting: from two to eight years.
Terroir
Quaternary clay-limestone soil (Middle Bathonian)
Exposition: West
Altitude: 260 m
Slope: 5%
Viticulture
Grape variety: Pinot Noir
Plantation density: 8000 plants/ha
Average yield: 40 hl/ha
Harvesting by hand
Tillage
Vinification
Sorting of the harvest on a vibrating table, then on a manual table. 100% de-stemming before vatting. Vinification in open wooden vats with one or two pigeages per day.
Vatting time of 14 to 15 days. After pressing, the wine is put into tuns where the malolactic fermentation will follow. Racking, then light filtration before bottling after 15 months of ageing. No gluing.
Bourgogne Rouge
Les Cras
Single vineyard site on the commune of La Roche Vineuse
Tasting
Beautiful deep ruby colour with bluish tints. The nose evokes aromas of red fruits and ripe cherries. On the palate, the wine is dense and racy. The tannins are supple and suggest a 5 to 8 year ageing potential.
Terroir
Quaternary clay-limestone soil (Middle Bathonian)
Exposition: south-west
Altitude: 300 m
Slope 5%
Viticulture
Grape variety: Pinot Noir
Plantation density: 8000 plants/ha
Average yield: 40hl/ha
Ploughing
Harvesting by hand
Vinification
Sorting of the harvest on a sorting table. The decision to de-stemm or partially de-stemmed depends on the ripeness of the grapes. Maceration in open wooden vats with an average of one pumping over and one punching down of the cap per day. Vatting time of 14 to 15 days, then pressing and putting into barrels. Malolactic fermentation in barrels. After 15 months maturing in barrels, racking, then light filtration on Kieselguhr earth before bottling. No gluing.
Moulin à Vent
Tasting
Wine with an intense and deep colour. Lots of concentration on the palate with velvety tannins. Beautiful aromatic expression on spices and flowers (peony).
Terroir
Granitic soil very rich in manganese
Exposure: south-east
Altitude: 230 m
Slope: 5%
Viticulture
Grape Variety: Gamay
Plantation density: 12000 plants/ha
Average yield: 38hl/ha
Horse ploughing
Harvesting by hand
Vinification
Sorting of the harvest on a sorting table. Vatting in whole harvest. Alcoholic fermentation under carbon dioxide in wooden vats. One or two pumping-overs a day. 12-day vatting period (cuvaison).
After pressing, this wine is put into tuns or oak barrels for an ageing period of about 18 months.
Racking, then light filtration before bottling.
Pas de collage.
Moulin à Vent
La Rochelle
Single vineyard site on the commune of Chénas
Tasting
Beautiful deep bluish colour. The nose evokes spices (pepper), chocolate and ripe cherry. On the palate, the wine is very dense and racy. The tannins are well present and velvety. The final is very long. Great wine for laying down. This cuvée represents the flagship of our red wines. Its limited production made us decide to number each bottle.
Terroir
Soil: Sandy granitic soil, very poor, with presence of manganese.
Exposition: south-east
Altitude: 280 m
Slope: 10%
Viticulture
Grape Variety: Gamay
Plantation density: 13000 plants / ha
Age of the vines: 85% of the plot was planted in 1937 and the rest in 1962
Average yield: 40 hl/ha
Harvest by hand. Full horse ploughing.
Vinification
Sorting of the harvest on a sorting table. Semi-carbonic maceration in closed conical trunk wood vats. Two pumping-overs a day. Vatting time of about 12 days, then pressing. Malolactic fermentation in barrels. After 18 months maturing in barrels, racking, then light filtration on Kieselguhr earth before bottling. No gluing.
Saint-Véran En Crèche
History
En Crèche is a plot of land located in the commune of Davayé and leased by Théo and Paul Merlin at the end of 2017. The 2018 vintage is therefore the first year cultivated by the Merlin team.
Tasting
It is a wine of a beautiful yellow slightly golden colour. Nose of citrus fruits with floral notes. Attack with finesse. Mineral and well-structured, vivacious. On the palate, the wine has a nice length, harmonious, seductive.
Terroir
These Chardonnay vines were planted in 1963 on a shallow, stony soil of hard limestone. It faces south-west on a slope of about 15% with an altitude of 275 metres.
Viticulture
To preserve this exceptional heritage and given the high age of the vines, the MERLIN team applies a very rigorous viticulture. The soil is ploughed completely, without any use of weedkiller. The manual harvest in 2018 took place on the 3rd. September.
Vinification
The Chardonnay grapes are vinified in the Merlin cellar in La Roche-Vineuse. Direct pressing, light settling in stainless steel tanks, alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in oak barrels. Aged for 12 months in barrels, followed by 2-3 months in stainless steel tanks. Racking then light filtration before bottling. No gluing. 2925 bottles and 9 magnums were bottled on 05. 02. 2020.
Saint-Véran La Côte-Rotie
History
Côte-Rotie is a plot of land located in the commune of Davayé and leased by Théo and Paul Merlin in the end of 2017. The 2018 vintage is therefore the first year cultivated by the Merlin team.
Tasting
Slightly golden yellow colour. Ripe fruits like peach and apricot on the nose. Attack on the minerality that provides structure. Mouth lined, on the volume. A wine that combines power and structure.
Terroir
The Chardonnay vines of La Côte-Rotie are rooted in a stony soil of hard, shallow limestone. The plot is sloping and is located on the southern slope of the Roche de Vergisson. Here the vines take advantage of the residues of the Mistral. Thanks to the high altitude (325-350 metres), this very early vine benefits from the freshness necessary for the aromatic development during the ripening of the grapes.
Viticulture
To preserve this exceptional heritage and given the high age of the vines, the MERLIN team applies a very rigorous viticulture. The soil is ploughed completely, without any use of weedkiller. The harvest is done by hand and took place on September 3th.
Vinification
The Chardonnay grapes are vinified in the Merlin cellar in La Roche-Vineuse. Direct pressing, light settling in stainless steel tanks, alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in oak barrels. Aged for 12 months in barrels, followed by 2-3 months in inox tanks. Racking then light filtration before bottling. No gluing. 5707 bottles and 130 magnums were bottled on 19.02.2020.
Pouilly-Fuissé Clos de France
History
The Clos de France is a plot of land located in the village of Vergisson next to the church. Théo and Paul Merlin took over the lease at the end of 2017. The 2018 vintage is therefore the first year cultivated by the Merlin team.
Tasting
Golden yellow. Intense nose of citrus and peach. Fresh attack, followed by a warm body. The wine has breed and fruity notes. Lasts a long time. Alhocol level: 13 % Vol.
Terroir
The Chardonnay vines in the Clos de France were planted in 1965 and 1985 on shallow soil of hard limestone (gryphées). The slope is about 15% and the vines are exposed to the east. Vergisson is the most northerly commune of the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation. With an altitude of about 330 metres, this vine is moderately early.
Viticulture
To preserve this exceptional heritage and given the high age of the vines, the MERLIN team applies a very rigorous viticulture. The soil is ploughed completely, without any use of weedkiller. The manual harvest in 2018 took place on September 11th.
Vinification
The Chardonnay grapes are vinified in the Merlin cellar in La Roche-Vineuse. Direct pressing, light settling in stainless steel tanks, alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in oak barrels. Aged for 18 months in barrels. Racking then light filtration before bottling. No gluing. 1832 bottles and 60 magnums were bottled on 25.02.2020.
