Meursault Premier Cru Les Charmes-Dessus Magnum 2023, Château de Meursault

Meursault Premier Cru Les Charmes-Dessus Magnum 2023, Château de Meursault comes from the upper part of the climat of Les Charmes, the section closest to Les Perrières. Leaner soils, a steeper slope: the wine gains tension and precision here compared with the rest of the climat.

Les Charmes is divided into Charmes-Dessus and Charmes-Dessous. The Dessus occupies the top of the plot, where the layer of soil thins out and lets the limestone surface. The result is a Meursault less immediately round than the lower part of the climat, straighter, with a clear salinity on the finish. The exposure is still east to south east, but drainage is better and the grapes keep more acidity, which explains the greater cellaring potential of this part of the hillside.

What the critics say about this cuvée

The scores below cover the latest vintages of the cuvée, all vintages combined. The 2024 vintage scores 91/100 in Bourgogne Aujourd'hui. The 2023 was rated 95/100 by The World of Fine Wine (TWOFW) and by Jasper Morris, 94/100 at Bettane + Desseauve, VertdeVin and Allen Meadows, 93/100 at the DWWA, and it received a silver medal at the International Wine Challenge.

Château de Meursault is one of the finest estates in the Côte de Beaune. The Moulin Foulot fief, from which it comes, dates back to the 11th century. Bought in 2012 by Olivier Halley, the estate has since expanded its vineyard: 65 hectares spread over about a hundred plots, farmed under certified organic agriculture, which yield five Grands Crus, twenty Premiers Crus and a dozen village and regional appellations. The estate sells entirely direct, and 100 % of its production comes from its own vines.

Key facts

• Origin: France, Bourgogne, Côte de Beaune
• Appellation: Meursault Premier Cru Les Charmes-Dessus
• Estate: Château de Meursault
• Grape variety: Chardonnay 100 %
• Vintage: 2023
• Colour: White wine
• Viticulture: Certified organic agriculture
• Volume: 150 cl, magnum

Tasting notes

• Appearance: Pale gold with silvery highlights, very clear
• Nose: White citrus, lime blossom, fresh almond, warm stone, a discreet note of brioche
• Palate: Straight and chiselled, tight texture, saline length that pulls the finish towards lemon

Serving and cellaring

Serve this Meursault Premier Cru Les Charmes-Dessus at 12 to 14 °C. Its cellaring potential is eight to fifteen years. The magnum ages more slowly than the bottle, so allow a few years more. Keep the bottle lying down, at a stable temperature, away from light and vibration.

Food and wine pairings

Lightly seared scallops, turbot with beurre blanc, roast Bresse chicken. It also stands up to a cardoon gratin or an aged Beaufort.

Going further

Read about the climat of Les Charmes de Meursault, how to choose a Chardonnay for the cellar and why the whites of Bourgogne are so highly regarded. Find all the cuvées in our Château de Meursault collection, and the rest of our Burgundy selection in the Bourgogne collection or among our white wines.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Charmes and Charmes-Dessus?

Charmes-Dessus refers to the upper part of the climat, with thinner, better drained soils. You find more tension and minerality there, while the lower part, Charmes-Dessous, gives broader and suppler wines from their youth.

Is this Meursault for drinking or for keeping?

Both. It is already expressive on its fruit and its tension in its first three years, then closes up a little before opening on notes of hazelnut and honey after five or six years. It is one of the estate's Premiers Crus that rewards patience the most.

Why choose a magnum?

The magnum holds 150 cl, the equivalent of two bottles. The ratio between the volume of wine and the surface in contact with air is more favourable, which slows down the evolution and often gives fresher wines at the same age. It is also the format for a large table.

How is the bottle shipped?

Delivery is free in France on orders from 300 €. Each bottle is carefully packed and shipped with tracking.