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What We Say 2009 'Monthelon' Mercurey AOC
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Mission Codename: La Vallée Dorée
Operative: Agent White
Objective: Visit the commune of Mercurey and retrieve a delicious red Burgundy
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Domaine Christian Belleville
Wine Subject: 2009 ‘Monthelon’ Mercurey AOC
Backgrounder: The village commune of Mercurey, located in the heart of the Cote Chalonnaise is one of the best loved appellations in the region. Originally designated in 1923, the region is protected from the wines in what is referred to locally as the Golden Valley.
The region is well known for its unique soil composition of white limey marl and calcic limestone, Jurassic gravel and rock and red clay. Also the vines grown in Mercurey are grown at an elevation of about 1000 feet above mean sea level. The village boasts 32 Premier Crus and its red wines are known for crisp fruit driven wines with excellent minerality.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Deep and dense ruby red with a dark but clear core that shows brighter ruby streaks when held to the light. Along the edges, the color remains ruby and then fades just slightly to pinkish ruby. When swirled, this springy wine leaves widely spaced thin legs that slowly descend to the wine below.
Smell – Aromatic and bright in intensity with aromas of bright juicy red fruit including red cherry, raspberry and plum layered over notes of both sweet and savory spice, savory green herbs and hints of soft undergrowth notes. This wine’s nose evolves greatly from the moment you open the bottle to the time you take your last sip.
Feel – This medium-bodied wine is dry and smooth in the initial attack. Finely textured tannins and vibrant acidity take hold and linger into the finish. Also present is a distinct minerality that add to the structure and also flavors the palate.
Taste – Ripe red cherry as well as other red fruits including ripe red plum, raspberry, tart red currant meld with savory herbal and spice flavors. A reserved dose of earthy undergrowth emerges along with mineral and stone notes.
Finish – Medium in length with lingering red fruits gently fading and leaving this wine’s savory herbal, spice and minerality behind for several minutes.
Conclusion – The 2009 Domaine Christian Belleville ‘Monthelon’ Mercurey AOC is
distinctly Burgundian with its Terroir driven minerality framing the restrained red fruit flavors. Bigger on the nose, and balanced in its mouth-feel, this wine will pair well with herb encrusted or infused cheeses or lighter meats. Drink now or for up to three to five years.
Mission Report:
Agent White has been reported as A.W.O.L. and it is believed he is stocking the wine cellar and hoarding bison steaks for the impending Apocalypse.
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of the the Mercurey commune south of Beaune and northwest of Chalon-sur-Saone can be seen in this satellite photo.
What the Winery Says
Domaine Christian Belleville
About This Wine:
Picking off, pressing, cold maceration, cuvaison from 12 to 25 days depending on the state of the vintage. Aging of 10 months out of barrels of oaks for all our vintages. The Reds are appreciated after a few months or a few years of ageing according to name, the place known as and the year.
About The Winery:
The Field was created in the years 1920 by the large father of Mr Christian BELLEVILLE .
This last in took again the succession since 1982. Since this date, it did not have of cease to increase the surface of exploitation. From 5 to 10, then with 17 hectares, the Field Christian Belleville account today 22 hectares in Rully name. In complement of this main name of the Chalonnaise Coast, the field has and exploits 10 hectares of vines under Mercurey name and 6 hectares of name prestigious such as Puligny-Montrachet, Santenay, Gevrey-Chambertin and Chambolle-Musigny.
Since his resumption of the Field, Christian Belleville always fought to show the diversity of the Burgundian soils.
Rully White and Rully Rouges 1 er Believed make it possible to confirm this diversity which makes all the richness of the wines of the Field and Burgundy.
The products are marketed mainly in bottles and according to the years, a part is sold with the detail.
The production of the Field is approximately 230 000 bottles, divided into 55% of red, 35% of white, 5% of rose and 5% of creaming.
Technical Analysis:
Appellation: Appellation Mercurey Contrôlée
Varietals: Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 13.0%
