Mercurey 1er Cru "Les Veleys" (Red)

Origine

Area: 2,10 hectares
Average age: 12 to 70 years   
Soil: very calcareous white marl
Exposure: facing directly east

Vinification

The grapes are harvested by hand and go into crates which are transported to the winery every ¾ hour, at most, to be sorted by the team at the domaine, then completely destemmed without crushing: the grape berries remain whole and uncrushed to protect the juice from oxidation. The aromas are therefore preserved. The vatting period lasts 15-20 days, depending on the vintage. All the wine is aged in barrels, of which 20% are new, using the wood only for the purpose of bringing out the personality of the terroir. Particular care is taken in the choice of cooper and the barrel toast to suit the personality of each terroir. After malo-lactic fermentation (which usually occurs in May or June), the wine is transferred into a vat before bottling 14-15 months after the harvest. There is generally no filtration of the wine.

Notes de dégustation

This wine is characterized by its concentration and power. When young, the aromas are lively and invigorating, with wild red berries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries. The wine is pure and explosive on entry to the palate. This parcel soaks up hours of sunshine producing ripe tannins, which will show a lovely, soft character.  With ageing, the wine develops a harmonious fruity bouquet, accentuated by liquorice, and even chocolate, notes. 

Mets d'accompagnements

Perfect with red meat, game, marinated dishes, as well as most cheeses.

When the wine is young, open the bottle one hour before serving, when older (5-10 years), you can also decant it: once the initial aromas have faded, the full force of the fruit will come through.