Mercurey Rouge Vieilles Vignes, Domaine François Raquillet 2024

Mercurey is the Côte Chalonnaise's quiet overachiever — serious Pinot Noir at a fraction of the price of its Côte de Nuits neighbours, and Raquillet is one of the appellation's most dependable names. This Vieilles Vignes bottling comes from the domaine's oldest vines, which pull more concentration and detail from the limestone-clay soils than younger plantings ever could. The result is a red Burgundy with real presence: bright red fruit, a stony, iron-edged mineral quality, and tannins that have genuine grip without any roughness. "An imperial, dark purple hue. The nose lifts exuberantly from the glass with poached plum, cassis and redcurrant, threaded with violet, clove and star anise. Deep, resonant and a touch brooding in its youth, the palate reveals a concentrated core of dark fruit wrapped in firm, powdery tannins. A serious, structured and confidently age-worthy Mercurey from Domaine Raquillet." Tom Harrow, Head Wine Guru Critics consistently champion the domaine: Neal Martin calls the Vieilles Vignes “ utterly delicious, ” William Kelley praises its depth and precision, and Burghound regularly scores the wines at levels normally seen in top Premier Crus. “The Côte Chalonnaise experienced a very different growing season than the rest of Burgundy, and it is very much a year to pay attention to these wines. Almost across the board they are highly delicious.” Christy Canterbury MW, Tim Atkin Domaine Raquillet is one of Tim Atkin's 2024 Top 10 Côte Chalonnaise Producers .