Meursault 1er cru Les Charmes 2023 Domaine Vincent Bouzereau

The Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes 2023 from Domaine Vincent Bouzereau is the flagship cuvée and most emblematic wine of this family-run Meursault domaine whose winemaking tradition reaches back to the 19th century. A repeated favourite of the Hachette Wine Guide, this Premier Cru embodies everything that Les Charmes does best: an opulent, fruity and buttery Chardonnay, enlivened by noble acidity and fine minerality that give it structure and ageing potential. Built to age for up to fifteen years, it strikes a superb balance between richness and minerality.

Terroir and the vineyard

Domaine Vincent Bouzereau works two parcels of Les Charmes, one inherited by the family and one acquired in 1999, where the Chardonnays average 45 years in age. Planted mid-slope with south and south-easterly exposure, these vines rest on clay-limestone soils characteristic of Meursault's largest Premier Cru, which covers about 31 hectares and represents 23% of the total Premier Cru area of the appellation. The Les Charmes terroir is naturally generous and sun-blessed, giving the Chardonnay that opulent, pastry-like style for which it is famous, tempered by the natural acidity and fine minerality of Meursault's limestone. Viticulture is managed with care, including soil work to favour biodiversity, simple Guyot pruning, shoot removal adapted to the age and vigour of each vine, and hand harvesting. Winemaking is precise and traditional: pressing followed by cold settling in tank for 24 hours, alcoholic fermentation in barrel with only indigenous yeasts at the natural cellar temperature to preserve terroir and vintage character. Ageing takes place for 15 to 18 months on lees in oak barrels, of which 30% is new, with racking after malolactic fermentation and filtration if needed depending on the vintage.

Tasting profile

The colour is a luminous gold with golden reflections, bright and with fine density. The nose is fresh, buttery and immediately generous: notes of white flowers and ripe yellow fruits assert themselves naturally, accompanied by aromas of roasted hazelnut, poached apple and a light citrus note that brings vivacity and freshness. The oak, perfectly pitched, adds complexity without ever dominating. On the palate, power and length are the two hallmarks of this cuvée: the material is rich and unctuously textured, the natural fat of Les Charmes expresses itself generously, enlivened by formidable and noble acidity that brings tension, balance and length. The finish is long, structured and slightly mineral, with that return of yellow fruits and hazelnut that invites both patience and immediate pleasure. A Premier Cru accessible now and destined to age beautifully over ten to fifteen years.

The domaine

Vincent Bouzereau comes from an old family of Meursault winemakers whose origins go back to the 19th century. Installed since 1990 in the former priory of the Château de Meursault, of which one of his ancestors was owner, he and his wife Aline run a domaine of around ten hectares spread across eight villages of the Côte de Beaune. After experiences in Swiss and Californian vineyards, he returned to Meursault with a resolutely traditional and precise vision of winemaking: indigenous yeasts, measured oak ageing, patience. Their children Louis and Clotilde have joined the domaine, ensuring the continuity of family craftsmanship that has been rewarded many times by Burgundy's most demanding guides and critics.

Food pairing

This Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes pairs beautifully with scallops in chive cream, grilled prawns with tarragon butter, lobster in a light broth, wild turbot roasted in beurre blanc, Bresse chicken with cream and morels, or veal sweetbreads braised with mushrooms. It will also find lovely harmony with soft-paste cheeses such as Brie de Meaux or aged Chaource. Served between 12 and 14°C with 20 minutes of decanting recommended for younger vintages, it will reveal all the richness, generosity and minerality of one of Meursault's finest Premier Crus.