Wines Meursault Domaine Bernard-Bonin - Les Charmes-Dessus - 2018

Viniou Reviews

Domaine Bernard-Bonin’s Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes-Dessus 2018 is an expressive and elegant white Burgundy that highlights the distinctiveness of its terroir. Crafted from 100% Chardonnay, the wine comes from the prestigious Charmes-Dessus plot, a revered section of the Meursault Premier Cru vineyards. This 2018 vintage hails from an excellent year characterised by optimal ripening conditions, imparting the wine with both richness and finesse. The vineyard is farmed biodynamically, respecting both the land and the vine, ensuring that the complexity of the terroir translates harmoniously into the bottle. Traditional Burgundian vinification techniques are employed, with fermentation and ageing taking place in oak barrels, a proportion of which are new, lending subtle toast and vanilla notes to the wine without overshadowing its inherent minerality.

Meursault lies within the Côte de Beaune, the heart of white Burgundy and a region steeped in history. The terroir here is predominantly composed of clay-limestone soils atop rocky subsoil, providing excellent drainage and a unique mineral character to the wines. The climate is continental, with warm days and cool nights, facilitating ideal conditions for Chardonnay’s slow and steady maturation. Meursault’s reputation for producing opulent yet refined white wines dates back centuries, and today’s vignerons, such as Bernard-Bonin, respect these traditions while embracing biodynamic principles that promote biodiversity and gentle vineyard stewardship.

This Meursault Les Charmes-Dessus 2018 is a natural companion to luxurious dishes featuring noble seafood or white meats. It pairs beautifully with lobster or scallops in a delicate butter sauce, as well as roast chicken with morel mushrooms or a classic poulet de Bresse à la crème. Regional Burgundy cheeses such as Chaource or a well-aged Comté also complement the wine’s creamy texture and persistent minerality.

For optimal appreciation, serve this wine at a temperature of 12-14°C. Decanting for 30 minutes before serving can help the aromas fully open, revealing layers of ripe orchard fruits, toasted hazelnut, and a lingering saline finish. This is a wine that impresses now but will also evolve beautifully with careful cellaring for up to a decade.