Meursault 1er cru Les Charmes 2023 SSA Rougeot Père & Fils | Burgundy

Description: Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes 2023 SSA | Rougeot Père & Fils

The 2023 Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes from Domaine Rougeot Père & Fils expresses the character of Burgundy with precision and freshness. Located on the Côte de Beaune, the Les Charmes vineyard is among Meursault’s most renowned premier crus. The estate, known as Rougeot Père & Fils, cultivates its vines there using biodynamic methods. Vinified without added sulfites, this 2023 vintage emphasizes a direct expression of the terroir, balancing richness and tension.

Terroir and Grape Variety

The Les Charmes climat is characterized by its clay-limestone soils, typical of the Côte de Beaune. The clay contributes to the richness of the Chardonnay, while the limestone brings tension and freshness. This balance produces full-bodied wines that are never heavy—at once generous and precise. In 2023, sunny conditions fostered excellent ripeness in the grapes, while preserving the balance and freshness that characterize great Meursaults.

Viticulture and Winemaking

The estate is certified biodynamic (Demeter) and has been cultivating its vineyards using organic farming methods since 2020. The grapes are harvested by hand, and both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation take place in French oak barrels, 20% of which are new. The wine is then aged for 18 months on fine lees, without stirring, fining, or filtration, to preserve its natural texture. No sulfites are added during winemaking, a demanding approach that requires close attention at every stage.

Meursault 1er cru Les Charmes 2023 SSA | Rougeot Père & Fils: The Sommelier’s Review

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin

Les Charmes is an iconic Meursault climat, renowned for wines that combine richness and freshness. The 2023 vintage expresses this duality, with beautifully ripe fruit and aging that allows the terroir to shine through. Made without added sulfites, this Chardonnay reflects the estate’s commitment to minimal intervention, from the vineyard to the cellar. Its clay-limestone soils contribute to its balance between fullness and tension. Already enjoyable now, it will gain complexity after a few years of cellaring. Serve at around 12°C in attractive wine glasses, after decanting for about 20 minutes to allow it to open up.

The Nose

The nose blends notes of white flowers, roasted pear, and fresh hazelnut. A mineral touch reminiscent of limestone adds freshness to the overall profile. The fruit, ripe and generous, reflects the sunny character of the 2023 vintage, while a mineral backbone maintains the wine’s balance and tension.

Palate

On the palate, the Chardonnay is full-bodied and generous, with a silky texture resulting from 18 months of aging on fine lees. The acidity balances the richness of the fruit and adds freshness, while prolonging the finish. The overall impression remains precise, striking a balance between body and mineral tension. The long, mouth-watering finish lingers with notes of white fruit and chalk.

Meursault: Everything You Need to Know About This Appellation

Meursault is one of the iconic appellations of the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy. Its clay-limestone soils and well-exposed slopes produce Chardonnays renowned for their richness, complexity, and balance. The village is home to several renowned premiers crus, including Les Charmes, Les Perrières, and Les Genevrières. Primarily dedicated to white wines, the appellation also produces a small quantity of red.

Among its premier crus, Les Charmes stands out for wines that combine fullness and precision. The 2023 Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes from Rougeot Père & Fils offers a faithful expression of this, with biodynamic viticulture and winemaking without added sulfites that highlight the character of the terroir and the vintage.