Camille & Guillaume Boillot Meursault 1er Cru “Les Charmes” 2023

Camille and Guillaume Boillot bring a family tradition reaching back to Pommard into their own Cote d'Or estate. Les Charmes is one of the finest Premier Cru climats of Meursault, in the Cote de Beaune, sitting on deep limestone and marl at the foot of the slope. These soils hold moisture and give Chardonnay its weight, roundness and long, mineral finish. The wine is aged for fifteen months in 500 litre French oak barrels, a larger format than a standard barrique, so the oak influence is gentler while lees contact and malolactic fermentation still build a creamy texture and soften the acidity. Slow oxygen exchange through the wood adds nutty depth. At fourteen degrees of alcohol the wine is generous and broad. The colour is deep golden yellow. The nose opens on golden citrus and juicy pear, with honey, hazelnut, vanilla and toasted bread. The palate is rich and layered, the oak folded into ripe fruit, closing long on a stony, saline note that keeps it fresh. Serve at 12 to 13 degrees in a large white wine glass, and open it ahead.