Albert Bichot Meursault 2022

Maison Albert Bichot was established in Beaune in 1831 by Bernard Bichot, grandfather of the first of a line of Albert Bichots.

The current managing director is Alberic Bichot (born 1964) who has revitalised the business which is now based around a series of domaines: Long-Depaquit in Chablis, Clos Frantin for the Côte de Nuits, du Pavillon for the Côte de Beaune and Domaine d’Adélie for Mercurey. Wines with one or other of these denominations will be from their own vineyards, while wines just bearing the name Albert Bichot will be from purchased grapes.

The company has separate vinification centres in Chablis, Pommard, Nuits-St-Georges and Beaune itself. Lupé-Cholet is an associated marque. Christophe Chavel has been looking after the vineyards since 2000, ensuring that they are all ploughed and no fertilisers are used. Alain Serveau, originally from a domaine in Morey-St-Denis, is technical director. Fermentation takes place in wooden vats of varying sizes depending on the specific plot of vines in question, using natural yeasts. Maturation is in oak barrels without too much new wood: 20 to 30 per cent for village wines, from 50 to 100 per cent for grands crus.

Bichot is now a serious player with some excellent red wines which avoid showing too much of a house style, and some fine whites

Located at the very heart of the Côte de Beaune, Meursault is one of Burgundy's flagship villages and among its most celebrated. It is cited as being the capital of Burgundy's great white wines.

The diversity in the soil type and depth and the nature of the slope has a significant influence on the wines. Though they are always magnificently opulent, some may feature varying expressions of minerality.

The grapes are hand picked before fermentation in oak barrels. The wine the ages for 14-16 months in 20% - 30% new oak barrels.

Delicate nose with scents of flowers and fruit, such as hawthorn and peach, underpinned by toasted notes. This rich, silky wine is structured and well balanced. It boasts remarkable length on the palate with a hint of sweetness and lovely minerality.