Tasted with Corinne Merlin, 04 November 2022.

Domaine Merlin
106 Chemin du Lavoir
71960 La Roche-Vineuse
Tel: +33 3 85 36 62 09
merlin-vins.com
More reports on Domaine Merlin

Corinne on 2020:
“We had some volume as there were no real climatic ‘accidents’ – so we had a bit more than we made in 2019 for instance – in 2004 we suffered a big hail episode that took out all of our vines – there was nothing. Since that time we have kept some wine back as insurance for any similar instances. Returning to the 2020s – not too much alcohol and a decent amount of acidity so we are happy. We’re not prospecting for new clients but are not yet sold out. We only just finished bottling the last of the 2020s…”

The wines…

Good wines that showcase the power of the 2020 vintage but retain drinkability – still, I think I might carafe if drinking today…

All wines are cork-sealed:

2020 Mâcon La Roche Vineuse Vieilles-Vignes
55-80-year-old vines. They have been making this wine since 1987 when the domaine first started with 4.5 hectares…
A breadth of cushioned aroma – different for sure to the 21s. Supple, silky, almost an oily silk to this texture. Concentrated and long finishing. This is a more powerful wine when compared to the 21s that I’ve been tasting but less directly energetic. Still, a very drinkable, tasty, wine.

2020 St.Véran Les Grands Bussières
In Prissé, about 60-yo vines – ‘A very precocious sector – one of earliest to harvested each year.’ One of the first parcels purchased – 10 years after installation of the domaine. Elevage all in tank – ‘we felt that barrels made this heavier.’
Still some obvious concentration but here’s a much more overtly floral aromatic. Really mouth-filling, a large-scaled wine for keeping in your cellar or for taking to the carafe a couple of hours before drinking. I’d be waiting 5-7 years.

2020 Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Les Chevrières
In Chaintré, bought the grapes for a few vintages now these old vines are en fermage to the sons here – 0.65 ha – quite an early ripening area A more classic barrel elevage in younger barrels, some new but after fermentation(s) the wine is racked into older barrels for a total of 17-18 months elevage.
Despite the barrel elevage, here I see more aromatic freshness despite a tighter nose. Vibrant style of energy here but with a certain amount of muscle behind it – there is vigour and power together and a very fine finishing impression – it’s so persistent.