Mercurey La Plante Chassey Catherine et Dominique Derain 2018

Lot presentation

Mercurey La Plante Chassey Catherine et Dominique Derain 2018

The wine

A pioneer of organic and biodynamic viticulture in Burgundy since the 1990s, Dominique Derain settled in Saint-Aubin in 1988. A free spirit and full of verve, and a believer in wines where authenticity and pleasure are one and the same thing, he crafts frank, living wines in Saint-Aubin, Gevrey-Chambertin, Pommard and Mercurey, where the winemaker’s sole objective is to accompany the expression of the terroir. This Mercurey is produced with a majority of Pinot Noir (hundred-year-old vines) with a very small amount of Pinot Beurot. The vines are farmed organically on south-east facing slopes of clay soils. The grapes are harvested by hand and then ferment in wooden vats before an 18-month élevage in barrel. Sulphur is only used when absolutely necessary, in tiny quantities. With a delicate robe, subtle, savoury fruit and silky tannins, there is a lot of grace and elegance in this exceptional bottle! A red that is at once crunchy and direct.

Dominique Derain, the grandson of a vine-grower, and his wife Catherine manage a 5.5 hectare vineyard in Saint-Aubin. He is one of the pioneers of biodynamics in Burgundy - his domaine has been certified since the first harvest in 1989. His wines assert a strong personality, originality and a rare expression of his terroirs.