Chateau de Chamirey Mercurey Premier Cru 'Clos des Ruelles' 2018
(Burgundy, France) - [WS 92] [DM 92] [WA 91] [BH 90-93]

About the Wine:
Our vineyard of Clos des Ruelles monopole is composed by 2 plots with different exposures. Vines planted between 1954 and 1980. Total area: 2,5377 hectares (6,2681 acres) Climat & Soil : Vines exposed South/South-east. Clayey and limestone soil with a limestone predominance. High concentration of oxidized iron components.

To preserve their integrity, grapes are carefully harvested and sorted out by hand. Before beginning the alcoholic fermentation we make a cold prefermentation during 4 to 6 days to work on the phelonic component’s exctraction. Grapes are previously fully destemmed. Then full maceration lasts for 15 days during which we’ll use only pigeages (punching the cap). Intensity and numbers are lead to the concentration of tannins, perfumes and colour. Alcoholic fermentation is realized with natural yeasts.

AGING After maceration, free and press wines are separated for aging. Aging process is taking place 100% in traditional Burgundian 228 liters barrels during 14 months with around 25% of new barrels. We only use French oak coming mainly from Bourgogne, Allier and Vosges forests. The wine spends 3 months in tanks before bottling.

Ratings & Reviews

92 Points - Wine Spectator:
“Though luscious and saturated with blackberry, black cherry and plum flavors, this red is also dense and well-constructed, with elements of chocolate and spice on the long finish. Fine harmony. Drink now through 2030. 1,000 cases made, 80 cases imported.” - Bruce Sanderson (May 2021)

92 Points - Decanter Magazine: 
“The Château de Chamirey owns a pretty tasty slice of this Premier Cru at 2.53ha on red and iron soils. The result is impressively textured and concentrated, with supple tannins and smooth raspberry and strawberry fruit flavours embellished by 25% new wood. The balance is just right on this superior Côte Chalonnaise Pinot Noir.” - Tim Atkin, MW (Oct 2019)

91 Points - Wine Advocate: 
“The 2018 Mercurey 1er Cru Les Ruelles opens in the glass with notes of cassis, plums, smoked meats and sweet soil tones. Medium to full-bodied, layered and fleshy, with fine depth and concentration, bright acids and a flavorful finish, it's a definite success.” – William Kelley (Jun 2020)

90-93 Points - Allen Meadows' BurgHound: 
“This is aromatically quite similar to the Clos l'Évêque except that the menthol character is a bit more prominent here. There is a lovely sense of vibrancy to the well-detailed and delicious middle weight flavors that aren't quite as concentrated though they are finer, all wrapped in a youthfully austere finale. This is really quite good and a wine that should reward up to a decade of bottle age.” (Nov 2020)