2023 Château de Chamirey Mercurey 1er Cru La Mission Blanc, Burgundy

Château de Chamirey Mercurey Premier Cru La Mission Blanc from Burgundy is one of the great white wine expressions of the Côte Chalonnaise, a vineyard that consistently punches well above its appellation. The Devillard family has stewarded Château de Chamirey for generations, and La Mission is one of their most cherished sites. The vineyard sits directly beside the historic château itself on a gentle southeast facing slope where limestone rich soils are layered with clay and small streaks of marl. This terroir gives the wine its striking mineral line, refined texture and vibrant energy. Old vines dominate the block, producing small, concentrated berries that deliver depth without heaviness.

The winemaking focuses on finesse. Grapes are hand picked at perfect ripeness and pressed delicately before fermenting in French oak barrels, a portion of which are new. Ageing on fine lees adds creaminess and roundness, but never at the expense of freshness or definition. The result is a Chardonnay that sits beautifully between the tension of the Côte de Beaune and the generosity of southern Burgundy, with a character that is uniquely Mercurey.

In the glass it shines a pale gold with green reflections. The nose is elegant and layered with white peach, lemon zest and crisp pear supported by notes of acacia blossom, hazelnut, crushed limestone and a touch of spice from the oak. As it breathes, hints of fresh almond, flint and delicate brioche appear, giving it the complexity you normally expect from more famous Côte d’Or addresses.

The palate is precise, textural and beautifully sculpted. Ripe stone fruits merge with citrus vibrancy while fine acidity carries flavours of white peach, chalk, almond cream and subtle oak spice. There is a refined mineral tension running through the wine that comes directly from its limestone soils, and the finish is long, pure and gently saline. The balance between richness and freshness makes it sophisticated without being heavy, a hallmark of top tier Mercurey Premier Cru.

This wine pairs beautifully with seared scallops, roasted chicken with tarragon, creamy seafood pastas, mushroom vol au vents, grilled lobster, gruyere soufflé or even simple fresh prawns with lemon. Its freshness also makes it an excellent match for goat cheese, delicate vegetable dishes or buttery white fish. It can be cellared for eight to twelve years, developing lovely notes of honey, toasted nuts and chamomile while retaining its mineral backbone.