Beginning with the 1993 vintage, Jean-Francois Mestre assumed contol of the winemaking at Domaine Michelot, the famed 22 hectare Meursault estate. Mestre, who is married to one of Bernard Michelot’s four daughters, has reinvigorated this large domaine and today they are once again among the finest Meursault’s around. The house style, which offers sumptuous, concentrated and fleshy wines, aims to give immense pleasure in the medium term. This is why the Domaine releases their wines relatively late; they are concerned that the wines be fully appreciated when they are uncorked.

A vast choice is offered, ranging from a spectacular, oak-aged Bourgogne Blanc made from 25 year old vines that can easily be mistaken for a basic Meursault, through six village level lieu dit wines, to three great Meursault Premier Crus: Genevrieres, Charmes and Perrieres. Vinification is traditional, and the wines are quickly moved into casks to complete their alcoholic and malolactic fementations. About one third new oak is used and the wines are bottled about one year after the harvest. The wines benefit from extended contact with the lees and regular battonage, which contributes to their rich, full-throttle character. They are then bottled aged for two to three years in the grand Michelot cellars to await release. The estate’s entire production now appears under the Domaine

The BOURGOGNE BLANC comes from vineyards in the village of Meursault which are just outside the Mersault appellation because they are on flatter ground. The very ripe Chardonnay grapes are handled in exactly the same manner as for the Meursaults, and the wine is aged in oak casks for 10 months. The Michelot Bourgogne Chardonnay is a fine introduction to the estate’s style and a super value. It has amazing concentration and finesse for a generic. Michelot’s Bourgogne Blanc is so rich and fruity that it could easily pass for Meursault, as it has all the typicity of the appellation: deep citrus flavors intermingled with toasty notes, which derive both from the terroir and the oak. Above all, its body and length give it the appeal of AC Meursault costing three times more.

The MEURSAULT SOUS LA VELLE vineyard is located at the base of the slope and this parcel has vines averaging 50 years of age. This location ensures that the grapes are very ripe at harvest time. The Sous la Velle is the most forward, early-drinking of the Michelot wines and is a great introduction to the house style.

The MEURSAULT CLOS ST FELIX is a monopole vineyard is located just behind the Michelot home and winery. The Clos St Felix 1997 has fine, full-bodied structure and very elegant, ripe fruit. The 30-year old vines ripen early, and are the first to be harvested at the Michelot domaine. This is a classic, generous Meursault that is ready to be enjoyed with a wide range of seafood and white meat dishes.

The MEURSAULT LIMOUZIN is located on the slope directly below the Genevrieres 1er Cru vineyard. The vines average 40 years old. Its excellent exposition ensures optimal ripening. The wine is rich, powerful and elegant, the characteristic of the Genevrieres slope. Flavors of peach, pear honey and citrus combine with notes of spice and harmoniously integrated oak. Michelot’s Limouzin has superb balance and aging potential.

Michelot owns just over one hectare in the LES NARVAUX vineyard, where the vines are 35 years old. The site lies above 1er Cru Genevrieres and below Les Tillets. It combines the elegance and complexity of the latter with the richness and generosity of the former. The Meursault Narvaux is a supple, concentrated wine with a silky texture and perfectly mature flavors of citrus, minerals and oak. It is a joy to drink!

Michelot’s MEURSAULT LES GRANDS CHARRONS comes from a one hectare plot with 40 year old vines located on mid-slope, next to the 1er Cru Les Gouttes d’Or. The grapes here consistently attain optimal ripeness and the wine has a fine, full-bodied texture. The Grands Charrons, is a classic, full bodied Meursault, which is ready to be enjoyed with festive preparations of sole, trout, salmon, lobster, scallops or crab.

The MEURSAULT CHARMES 1ER CRU comes from 25 year old vines at the border of the upper and lower sections of the climat. This wine has tremendous body and length, complemented by a very stylish use of oak. This is a powerhouse MEURSAULT that can last for decades. In the word’s of Serena Sutcliffe “Terrific wines. Big, rich Charmes – everybody’s idea of fine Meursault.”

Michelot’s PULIGNY-MONTRACHET AOC is exceptionally full bodied for a village wine. It has lots of intensity balanced with a lively acidity the French would call “nervosite.” The taste is pure Puligny, with an abundance of crisp, rich fruit. Flavors of white peach, ripe pear, quince and spice are integrated with notes of vanilla judiciously imparted from the oak barrels. It is ready to enjoy with many preparations of lobster, sea scallops, tuna and salmon as well as fowl.