Domaine Tupinier‑Bautista Mercurey Rouge 1er Cru Clos du Roy 2023 | Mercurey, Burgundy

The Wine 

“Clos du Roy” translates to “The King’s Enclosed Vineyard”, historically one of Mercurey’s most prized sites. Darker and more structured than “En Sazenay”, with black cherry, spice, earth and plenty of cellar potential. The clay-limestone soils bring depth and power, while careful extraction and restrained oak keep the wine balanced and classically styled.

The Producer 

“one of the Côte Chalonnaise's finest estates, and I encourage readers wishing to encounter red and white Mercurey at its most gourmand and seductive to seek out his wines.” - William Kelley

Manu Bautista, along with nephew Anthony have really propelled this estate to new heights - helped along in 2016 by a superb new gravity-fed winery. The estate is now considered without question one of the finest in the cote chalonnaise. Attention to detail is meticulous. Manu likes to destem all his fruit and follows this with a long cold soak and gentle fermentation of 14 days.

Elevage is exclusively done in bespoke Chassin barrels, mostly older but with some new for the 1er cru’s like Clos du Roi. Simply delicious wines with layers of plush fruit, energy and poise. So exciting to still find producers like this in Burgundy.