The Domaine is based in the Roche Vineuse region of the Macon region, located in the south of Burgundy. They practice careful winemaking with respect for the natural environment. They produce wines that are well-balanced, pure, deep and harmonious. The Domaine is known for its wines. Based in Roche-Vineuse, in the Macon region, located in the south of Burgundy, the Domaine practices careful winemaking with respect for the natural environment. The wines are well-balanced, pure and full of depth. It is known for its well-balanced wines. Deep color. Concentrated taste with smooth tannins. A seductive style reminiscent of spices and peonies. Strict selection on the sorting table.
The grapes are not destemmed, and alcoholic fermentation takes place in wooden fermentation tanks filled with carbon dioxide.
Pump over once or twice a day. After fermentation, let rest for 12 days.
Pressed and aged in oak barrels for 18 months.
After racking, the wine is lightly filtered and bottled. It is not clarified. The history of this domaine began in 1987 when the owner, Olivier Meurlan, who studied winemaking in the Jura and California, purchased and inherited the historic Domaine des Vieux Saint-Sorlin, which has been in existence since the Middle Ages in the Macon region. The Macon region is at a higher altitude than the Cote d'Or, and is characterized by strong winds blowing through the fields on steep slopes. 95% of producers in the Macon region spray herbicides and harvest mechanically, but Meurlan is one of the few Domaines that has never used chemical fertilizers or herbicides since the beginning, frequently tilling the fields, and selecting and hand-picking fully ripe and healthy grapes. Grapes grown on windy slopes are less likely to attract pests, so there is no need to spray pesticides. The grapes are harvested in small boxes to avoid damaging them before fermentation, and then quickly put into tanks for fermentation after being sorted again on a selection table. Chardonnay is whole-cluster pressed, Pinot Noir is 100% destemmed (Gamay is whole-cluster fermented). Full malolactic fermentation, no collage, no filtering or minimal filtering before bottling. Olivier, who makes wines by hand, has established himself as a leader among high-quality wineries in the Maconnais region. Olivier, who knows the area well long before the winemakers of the Côte d'Or entered the Maconnais region, has been the trainee of many winemakers, including Raphael, the fourth generation owner of Domaine Coche-Dury. Master of Wine Jasper Morris also introduces Olivier as one of the best winemakers representing the Maconnais region. In 2012, he established a new winery, Chateau des Cars, together with Mr. Dominique, the owner of the top Meursault domaine Comte Lafon. His two sons, Theo and Paul, are now also involved in the domaine, and expectations are high for further improvements in quality. [About the establishment of Premier Cru in Pouilly-Fuisse]
In 2020, INAO created the Premier Cru of Pouilly-Fuisse for the first time.
Of the total 800 hectares of Pouilly-Fuissé, 190 hectares and 22 climats are approved.
At Merlan, five vineyards have been promoted to Premier Cru: Soules-la-Roche and Clos de France in the northern Vergisson area, Au Vigneres in the Solutre-Pouilly area in the central north, and Clos des Carles and Chevrières in the southern Chantres area. Starting with the 2020 vintage, five types of wine have been promoted to Premier Cru.