Mercurey Rouge Premier Cru 'Vasées', Domaine Francois Raquillet, 2022
Mercurey Rouge Premier Cru 'Vasées', Domaine Francois Raquillet, 2022
Couldn't load pickup availability
Enquire about this item
This wine is offered En Primeur, with an est. delivery in late 2024/early 2025.
Who is the greatest, under-the-radar producer in Burgundy? There are a handful of growers in the Côte-d'Or who might deserve that title, but looking further south to Mercurey, one Domaine that is crafting incredible, thought-provoking wines is Francois Raquillet. With scores that rank alongside a top producer's Côte-d'Or 1er Crus, these are wines that merit a place in any serious Burgundy lover's cellar.
Features as one of the Top 10 Côte Chalonnaise Producers in Tim Atkin's Burgundy 2022 Special Report.
Widely considered the best producer of the village (and among the leaders of the region), Francois has been harvesting his 12ha (8 planted to red and 4 to white) of increasingly old vines, some 70 years+, at the end of August for the last six years so is far less concerned by climate change than many Côte d’Or growers to the north. In fact the Chalonnais has been a beneficiary of the hotter, drier weather as it has helped reduce yields, and increase concentration and ripeness in the grapes, ultimately leading to richer, more gourmand, and frankly much better wines.
What the critics say:
"This is the first time that François used 30% whole cluster. He's experimented with it before but went all in with this cuvée. The results are a dynamically floral nose complemented by stem-driven spiciness and oodles of black cherries. The tannins are powdery they are so fine, and the elegant acidity gently corrals the abundance of ripe fruit."
"Part young vines, part old vines where they have done 30% whole bunch vinification. The young vines show fresh cherries, medium body, slightly dry at the finish but recently sulphured. The old vines (80+ years) show a much denser black purple colour. Cherry kernels this time. Very dense again, with the tannins of this vineyard showing. Leaves a great red and black fruit aftertaste. The blend has considerable potential, with the younger vines freshening up the concentration of the older component. Drink from 2026-2031. Tasted: May 2023."
