Bearing the nobility of a monopole, the Château de Chamirey Mercurey 1er Cru Clos des Ruelles Monopole 2023 stands as a masterful interpretation of Pinot Noir from the Côte chalonnaise. This confidential clos of 2.5 hectares, edged with stone walls and facing southeast, sits on clay-limestone soils that carve the fruit expression and mineral tension. Here, exacting standards guide every gesture, from the vine to the cellar, yielding a wine of precise, elegant, ample and luminous character. The ruby colour catches the eye, the bouquet evokes a garden at dawn, and the palate gracefully balances density and lift. Driven by sustainable viticulture and hand-harvested fruit, this 1er Cru combines aromatic purity and a caressing texture. Gently raised, it reveals the delicacy of its terroir without ostentation, like a perfectly tailored haute couture piece. Praised by critics with a potential score 90–92/100 (Meadow), it addresses lovers of subtle emotion, wines able to illuminate a gourmet table, elevate a bold dish and unfold gracefully over the years.

Blend and vinification

A clear expression of its origin, Clos des Ruelles 2023 is made from Pinot Noir (100%) carefully picked at maturity. Hand-harvesting preserves the integrity of the berries and allows for the most respectful selection of the fruit. The élevage, the hallmark of a house committed to finesse, lasts 7 months in oak barrels with 10% new oak, then continues for 2 months in tank to perfect the harmony. This delicate choice of élevage aims for clarity of message and terroir transparency, favouring length, silkiness and freshness rather than oaky display. The measured breathing of the wine, in contact with judiciously dosed barrel, polishes the tannins, rounds the contours and produces a supple, almost satin texture. The result is a red that is both vibrant and composed, its contained energy expressed naturally, without artifice, true to the domaine's spirit and the identity of Mercurey 1er Cru.

Tasting notes

• Appearance : Bright, deep and clear ruby with cherry highlights that catch the light. The sheen announces freshness, and the colour depth suggests good concentration without heaviness.
• Nose : An airy first impression of a basket of fresh red berries, followed by floral violet accents and a delicate petal nuance. Aromatic purity prevails, supported by a stony hint evoking damp chalk, which signals the clay-limestone terroir and gives an elegant verticality.
• Palate : A frank, precise attack, mid-palate driven by silky tannins perfectly integrated. The balance between acidity and roundness structures the wine; the texture is caressing, never forced. The finish stretches gracefully, clean and fresh, underlining the cru’s upright character and inviting food.

Serving temperature and advice

To reveal its full finesse, serve this 1er Cru at cellar temperature, in large Burgundy glasses that encourage the bouquet to open. A gentle decant a few moments before serving will open the floral range and polish the texture without diminishing the fruit's energy. In the cellar, prefer calm storage, bottle on its side, protected from vibration and temperature fluctuations. Clos des Ruelles 2023 has a good ageing potential that will allow it to gain complexity, refine its tannins and unfold further nuances over time, while already offering a very satisfying drinking experience today.

Food pairings

• Appetisers : cheese gougères, thin slices of persillade ham, mushroom puff bites to celebrate its freshness and delicacy.
• Starters : herb poultry terrine, pâté en croûte or œufs en meurette, whose richness complements its silky texture.
• Main courses : beef bourguignon, rack of lamb pink in the middle, game birds lightly roasted, where the noble meat converses with the wine’s depth.
• Cheeses : reblochon, époisses and other mature, characterful cheeses that its freshness and structure tame with elegance.
• Desserts : lightly sweetened red fruit tart, whose bright acidity highlights the wine’s fresh finish.

Moments to enjoy

Clos des Ruelles 2023 arrives at the table with panache, companion to memorable moments where taste reigns supreme. Its sincerity, grace and poise make it a wine for the initiated as much as a prized guest for fine gastronomic occasions.

• To elevate a gourmet dinner inspired by Burgundian cuisine.
• As an exceptional gift for a lover of great Pinot Noirs.
• To keep in the cellar for harmonious ageing and a contemplative tasting.

Specifications

• Name : Château de Chamirey, Mercurey 1er Cru Clos des Ruelles Monopole 2023
• Appellation : Mercurey 1er Cru AOC
• Type : Red wine
• Vintage : 2023
• Grape : Pinot Noir (100%)
• Alcohol : 14.5%
• Ageing : 7 months in oak barrels, including 10% new oak, then 2 months in tank
• Format : Bottle
• Ageing potential : Good potential for ageing
• Serving temperature : Cellar temperature, large Burgundy glasses