drouhin balson

Our wines

Meursault Premier Cru Charmes

Meursault Charmes

Premier Cru

Service

  • Cellaring

    Optimal consumption: 8 to 10 years

    Ageing potential: 15 years

  • Tasting temperature

    13°C (55°F)

Grape variety

Chardonnay

Vineyard

Producing commune: Meursault.

Site: a few kilometres south of Beaune, in the prestigious area known as Côte des Blancs (slope of the whites). The Premier Cru vineyard is located in the southern part of the Meursault appellation.

History & tradition: at one time hornbeam (or beech) trees (« charmes », in French) may have grown here, across the path from the vineyard « Perrières », with its white and sharp little stones covering the surface. Some people like to derive its etymology from the word « charm », an apt depiction of the vineyard since it is easy to work, has a sunny exposure, a mild slope and affords a beautiful view over the valley. Other people refer to the « charm » of this wine as another possible derivation. 

Soil: limestone and clay.

DOWNLOAD THE SHEET

Tasting

by Véronique Boss-Drouhin

At first sight, the wine is a perfect illustration of its place name. It is worthy of the wonderful Meursault whose colour is golden without being yellow. The nose, concentrated and elegant, full without being heavy, evokes aromas of almond, warm bread just taken out of the oven, hot croissant, then, fine spice and finally grilled dried fruit. The flavours are at the same refined level as the aromas. The body is round; the acidity is well integrated and is never biting. The texture feels like silk without the alcohol ever being dominant. The wine develops on the palate and opens up fully until the very long aftertaste brings back some of the precious aromas felt in the bouquet: almond paste and hot brioche.

Vintage

The vagaries of the 2021 vintage have greatly affected yields, resulting in one of the smallest harvests Burgundy has ever seen. The whites are less opulent than previous vintages; they are well-balanced with lovely aromatics without excessive extravagance.

Vintage review

Winemaking

Supply: this wine comes from grapes and musts purchased from supply partners according to rigorous specifications.

Harvest: grapes harvested by hands in open-work crates. If necessary, a careful sorting is proceeded.

Vinification: slow pressing in a pneumatic press. The juice of the last press is separated from the free run-juice. The juice is transferred into wine barrel after a little settling.  

Ageing: the alcoholic fermentation as the malolactic and the ageing are being processed in oak barrels. The proportion of new barrels is around 20% to 25%.
The ageing lasts between 16 to 18 months.

Origin of the wood: oak grown in French high forest.

Throughout the ageing process, decisions are taken only after careful tasting evaluation. The data obtained is completed through technical analysis. As with every other Joseph Drouhin wine, absolute priority is given to the true expression of terroir and character of the vintage.