What’s better than an aged white Burgundy? That is the question. Frankly, it is difficult to find many answers.
Domaine Michel Juillot is located in the Côte Chalonnaise in the village of Mercurey. And while most of its wines are made of grapes sourced from Mercurey, this Domaine also grabs grapes from other regions to produce Grand Cru beauties.
A standout, interesting factoid is the vine age across all estate hectares. This entry-level Bourgogne Blanc, for example, was made from vines that are 25 and 40 years of age. Other grapes were sourced from 50 to 80-year-old vines. No vines are young! All are creepy-crawly and crooked, turning out lower yields of grape clusters that are more concentrated in the Burgundy flavors we yearn for and love. Excellent.
The 2011 Domaine Michel Juillot Bourgogne was made of 100% Chardonnay. Primary aromas and flavors included red delicious apple, Anjou pear, Meyer lemon, honeysuckle, and chalk. Secondary notes included vanilla and a few drops of melted butter. Tertiary notes were abundant with notes of honey and apricot marmalade. This wine was dry, with medium (+) acidity, medium alcohol, medium (+) aroma and flavor intensity, and medium (+) body. The finish was medium (+).
My hat tips to the tertiary notes of this eight-year-old wine. For a wine that won’t break the bank, this aged white Burgundy was focused yet voluptuous. It simply flirted with my senses, seducing me to purchase another bottle.
