Domaine Gouffier - Mercurey 1er Cru Clos L'Évêque 2021 (14% abv)
When Frédéric Gueugneau was growing up in the village of Fontaines, he would often work at the Gouffier estate under the direction of Jerome Gouffier. Years later, when Gouffier fell ill, and passed away, Frédéric was asked by the Gouffier family to assume control of the domaine in 2011.
The nearly 200-year old estate had been through several name changes throughout its history, but had always remained a part of the extended Gouffier lineage. The property oozes history, as evidenced by its stunning, stone-domed cellar, which had once served as a bunker in the time of Napoleon Bonaparte.
With 5.5-hectares spread across eight appellations, the domaine was in need of a fresh start. Frédéric, who had worked previously at La Chabliesienne for eight years, took about the task of reinvigorating the vines of Gouffier by instituting organic farming practices. While there are no vineyards in Fontaines—which sits between the villages of Mercurey and Rully—the varied sites throughout the area allow Frédéric and his partner, Benoit Pagot, to offer several expressions of Cote Chalonnaise.
Recent vintages of Gouffier have reflected the intelligent approach of infusion, demonstrating perfect balance, a flawless integration of aging, resulting in wines of energy and precision which have garnered attention and accolades in France.
Elegant, silky mouth feel, tinge of cherry pit, quaff of the forest floor's earth tones, brambly berries make an unctuous burgundian offering enticing lean and chalk dry finish.
varietal: Pinot Noir
region: Mercurey 1er Cru, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, France
style: light red
Limestone and clay. The vineyards are worked organically and are plowed. This site is located in the middle of a big fault at elevation of 230 to 320 meters.
Harvested by hand. Cold soak pre-fermentation. Vinified with 40% whole cluster in 228 L barrels (50% new) with native yeast. Aged 12 months. No filtration. The barrels are made from one Cooper: Doreau of Cognac. The wood comes from local Fontaines forests.
pairs well with grilled quail with plums-balsamic vinegar, rotisserie chicken or grilled mayan shrimp with spiced pineapples