2020 Dominique Buisson-Charles 1er Cru 'Le Vigne de 1945' Meursault

Winemaker Notes:  Louis Essa, the son of Patrick and Catherine, is now in charge of the day-to-day activities of this 6.3 ha domaine even though his parents remain very much involved. The younger Essa noted that "the season was hot and dry, but the vines didn't suffer much hydric stress. Despite the heat, and many of our neighbors beginning the harvest well before us, we didn't feel that we had the desired level of phenolic maturity that we like to have. So, we waited until the seeds were brown and thus, we didn't start picking until the 2nd of September. The fruit was spotless with good, but not really high, levels of potential alcohols, which is to say between 13 and 14% for the whites and 14 to 14.5% for the reds. Yields were also pretty good with around 40 hl/ha in white though lower in red and much more variable. We used from zero to 100% whole clusters for the fermentations, which unfolded with no problems. As to the wines, the thing that really stands out about them, and something that completely surprised us as we didn't expect it, is how fresh and vibrant they are. They are racier and more refined than their 2019 counterparts and particularly so in white. One senses that they're the product of a warm vintage, yet the acidities are so good that they make you stop and wonder if they really are the product of a very warm growing season. Either way, they should age well effortlessly, and we are quite happy with the results." Essa noted that the Chapelle and the Chambertin were purchases of wine in barrel and thus were not vinified by the domaine. Also, the reds will see about 18 months of élevage and will be bottled without fining or filtration. 

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

 
Burghound - "This is at once slightly fresher and a bit more elegant as well with its floral and citrus-suffused nose that display background nuances of browned butter. There is excellent density and better precision to the middle weight flavors that culminate in a youthfully austere and lemony finish that is balanced, long and more complex. This is also an excellent villages and heartily recommended. Score: 90-92"