2017 Taupenot-Merme Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Bel-Air

Taupenot Merme

France / Burgundy / Taupenot Merme

The family owns 0.43Ha on this premier cru, spread over two blocks planted in 1974 and 1986.

November, 2018

Neal Martin

Vinous Media

89-91 points

The 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin Bel Air 1er Cru was showing a little reduction on the day of my visit, making it difficult to read. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, quite tensile and linear, and perhaps lacking just a bit of substance toward the sour cherry tinged finish.

January, 2019

Allen Meadows

Burghound

90-92 points

Reduction dominates the nose today. There is good intensity to the round, supple and generously proportioned flavors that also possess a caressing mouthfeel that contrasts somewhat with the stony, grippy and dusty finish that flashes sneaky good length on the balanced finale.

November, 2018

Julia Harding MW

jancisrobinson.com

17/20

Mid crimson. Peppery dark-red fruit. Really peppery and much more open-hearted than the Morey La Riotte. Cherry-fruited purity. Succulent, moreish and beautifully fresh. Has both generous fruit and refinement in the texture. Tender tannins. Mouth-watering with black fruits on the finish.

Standard Bottle Out of Stock

About Taupenot Merme

Brother-and-sister team Virginie and Romain are at the helm at this domaine. It has 13 hectares on the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits, with grands crus including Clos des Lambrays, Charmes-Chambertin, Corton-Rognet and Mazoyères-Chambertin. These seventh generation winegrowers are typical of the new crop of young Burgundian vignerons who are realising the full potential of priceless family vineyard parcels through sensitive viticulture and thoughtful winemaking. All grapes are de-stemmed, with 25% new oak used for the village wines and 40% for grand and premier cru. Virginie looks after sales while Romain works the cellar, producing structured, self-assured Burgundy that expresses the vineyards well. The wines are getting better and better.

About

Seventh-generation Romain Taupenot is in charge of winemaking at Domaine Taupenot-Merme, aided by his sister Virginie. It's widely and correctly acknowledged that the estate, which has been working along organic principles since 2001, is on the up and up in terms of quality. Its results from the 2006 and 2007 vintages are drinking beautifully, and Romain has triumphed against all odds in the difficult vintages of 2012 and 2013.