Alain Patriarche’s Meursault Les Tillets 2022 offers a shining example of village-level Chardonnay from one of Burgundy’s most esteemed appellations. The wine is produced from 100% Chardonnay grapes, sourced from the Les Tillets lieu-dit, perched on the upper slope just above the main village of Meursault. This particular terroir, with its high limestone content and well-drained soils, imparts striking minerality and freshness to the wine. The 2022 vintage benefited from a warm and sunny growing season, bringing ripe orchard fruit and balancing acidity. Fermentation typically takes place in oak barrels, a portion of which are new, adding layers of complexity, subtle creamy notes, and a touch of vanilla, while meticulous bâtonnage enhances the wine’s generous texture.
The Côte de Beaune, and particularly Meursault, is renowned for its white wines of exceptional finesse and longevity, thanks to its unique mosaic of soils and temperate continental climate. The slopes around Meursault are studded with marl and limestone, conditions that are ideal for crafting wines with a wonderful tension between richness and freshness. The local history of winemaking stretches back to Roman times, and Meursault has long been a benchmark for elegance and opulence in white Burgundy.
For food pairing, Meursault Les Tillets 2022 is remarkably versatile. Its vibrant citrus and floral aromas, underpinned by creamy texture and nutty undertones, make it an outstanding companion to butter-poached lobster, classic roast chicken with morels, or a creamy fish pie. It also harmonises beautifully with regional dishes like escargots à la bourguignonne or a delicate jambon persillé. For cheese, consider mild and creamy options such as Brillat-Savarin or Comté.
For serving, chill the wine to a temperature between 10 and 12°C. This allows the wine’s nuanced aromas and well-integrated oak to fully express themselves, highlighting the freshness and mineral drive that make Meursault such a standout in the world of fine Chardonnay.
