Domaine du Château de Meursault : Volnay 1er cru "Clos des Chênes" 2024

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Volnay 1er Cru "Clos des Chênes" 2024 Domaine du Château de Meursault

Tasting

Colour
A ruby red hue, the wine is both intense and luminous, likely to evolve towards garnet nuances over time.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with characteristic floral notes of violet, accompanied by small red fruits such as wild strawberry and cherry. Touches of blackberry, spice, and subtle hints of undergrowth further enrich the whole.

Palate
The structured attack gives way to a velvety mid-palate. This generous, concentrated wine stands out for its finesse and noble tannins. The lingering finish unfolds with pleasant fruity and floral aromas.

Food and Wine Pairing

The estate suggests pairing this wine with hunter-style rabbit or Saint-Nectaire cheese. More broadly, it pairs beautifully with roasted red meats, poultry such as duck, or mushroom-based dishes that highlight its delicate notes of undergrowth.

Service and Storage

This Volnay 1er Cru "Clos des Chênes" 2024 shows fine ageing potential. It can be cellared and enjoyed until around 2039, or even beyond for those who favour more evolved profiles.

The Elegance and Minerality of a Premier Cru from Volnay

The Estate

The history of the Domaine du Château de Meursault began in the 11th century as a milling estate, though its true winemaking vocation emerged in the 19th century. Located in the heart of Burgundy, France, the estate today spans nearly 67 hectares. Acquired in 2012 by the Halley family, with Olivier Halley at the helm, the estate stands out for its environmental commitment, reflected in its organic certification obtained in 2022. Combining heritage preservation with modernity, the estate produces wines that faithfully reflect their terroirs.

The Vineyard

The "Clos des Chênes" climat, located within the Volnay appellation, covers a 2.63-hectare plot perched at around 270 metres above sea level. Facing east and southeast on a steep slope, the vines thrive on clay-limestone soils rich in white marl. This configuration calls for meticulous work and exclusively hand-harvested grapes.

The Vintage

The year 2024 proved to be particularly warm and generous. The weather conditions led to significant mildew pressure, requiring constant vigilance and numerous interventions in the vineyard to preserve the health of the grapes through to harvest.

Winemaking and Aging

After careful destemming, the grapes for this Volnay 1er Cru "Clos des Chênes" 2024 undergo a fifteen- to eighteen-day cold pre-fermentation maceration. Alcoholic fermentation then begins naturally, driven by indigenous yeasts. Ageing takes place in French oak barrels for fifteen to eighteen months. For this particular vintage, the use of new barrels was kept to a minimum in order to preserve the character of the year.

Grape Variety

100% Pinot Noir