Mercurey 2020

The 2020 vintage is a remarkable one.

It was marked by historic earliness, from budbreak to harvest. The result is quite exceptional.

Fine weather from spring on brought the vines out of dormancy three weeks ahead, and they kept that lead to harvest, which ran from 18 to 28 August.

Vinification was straightforward, the fruit being very healthy. The particular conditions of the year produced balances that are new and quite singular.

There is a subtle richness, of course, but also a welcome tension, which will make 2020 a great keeping vintage, in white as in red.

The whites are fruity and aromatically complex, with fine acidity. Despite the summer heat they are beautifully balanced, carried by a classical freshness true to what one expects of a Burgundy vintage.

The reds stand out for their extraordinary colour, deep and saturated, the mark of real richness.

Ideal sunshine and warmth through ripening gave concentrated wines with character but no heaviness. Like the whites they kept their freshness, and offer generous black-fruit profiles, blackberry, bilberry, black cherry.

Mercurey 2020

The wines singled out that year

8 wines were rated by the critics on the 2020 vintage.

Bouteille de Mercurey Premier Cru White Les Veleys, Domaine Raquillet

1^er cru

Mercurey white

Les Veleys

This cuvée gives a broader wine on the palate, opening quickly with floral notes. Supple yet fleshy, never heavy. Ample and rich, easy to drink, holding a fine balance between acidity and structure.

Chardonnay

Bouteille de Mercurey Premier Cru Red Les Veleys, Domaine Raquillet

1^er cru

Mercurey red

Les Veleys

A wine for keeping, poised between power and structure, with very silky tannins and a mineral finish bringing freshness. It refines gradually towards a smoother texture after a few years, the most complete of the estate’s Premiers Crus.

Pinot noir

Bouteille de Mercurey Premier Cru Red Les Naugues, Domaine Raquillet

1^er cru

Mercurey red

Les Naugues

The southern exposure brings black fruit aromas to this Premier Cru, powerful yet round and fleshy. A sun-filled, generous wine, broad on the palate, with a fine texture that asks only to evolve slowly.

Pinot noir

Mercurey white

La Brigadière

This parcel yields a precise, straight, thoroughbred and mineral wine. The aromas favour finesse over exuberance, evolving over time towards dried fruit, citrus, white flowers and acacia. The palate is taut and linear, then lingers and opens with time.

Chardonnay

Mercurey white

Vieilles Vignes

This cuvée is made to be drunk young and fruit-forward, showing all the finesse of Chardonnay. Tension, ageing and minerality align, with praline flavours underlined by delicate oak.

Chardonnay

Mercurey red

Les Carabys

A generous, fruit-driven wine that reveals itself early. From a 60-year-old east-facing parcel on clay-limestone soils, it plays on depth and power.

Pinot noir

Bouteille de Mercurey Premier Cru Red Les Vasées, Domaine Raquillet

1^er cru

Mercurey red

Les Vasées

The fruitiest and most supple of the estate’s Premiers Crus. A distinctly Pinot nose, a savoury, round palate with fine texture. Sappy and complete, with generous black fruit.

Pinot noir

Bouteille de Mercurey Premier Cru White Clos des Barraults, Domaine Raquillet

1^er cru

Mercurey white

Clos des Barraults

This cuvée gives a saline, smooth wine with fine tension and great freshness. Ample and rich, easy to drink, holding a fine balance between acidity and structure. The use of large oak vessels supports that balance.

Chardonnay

The critics