2019 MERCUREY, 1er Cru La Chassière, Domaine Charton. Burgundy

Mercurey is in the Châlonnais, that forgotten (or little known) region south of the Côte D’Or but north of Mâcon and Beaujolais. Once a reliable source of thin and weedy Pinot, the region has been transformed by a new generation of winemakers and, it has to be said, warmer recent vintages.

UK agent, Flint Wines:
“Vincent Charton is quite simply the most exciting producer in Mercurey. Having been at wine school with Amélie Berthaut, he is part of the exciting new generation of winemakers who are breathing new life into sleeping appellations! Like many of his peers Vincent tries to keep his berries whole for much longer than his father did, helping to accentuate the aromatics and create tannins of a silky, seamless nature. In an often stern appellation like Mercurey this is great, as the wines become more noble and aristocratic and allow themselves to show the real potential of the appellation. You might be able to find slightly cheaper Mercureys but you probably won’t find any better ones!”

Beautifully pure young Burgundy. If only all producers could match this level of charm, and at such a sensible price.