Mercurey 1er Cru Clos des Barraults Michel Juillot (Domaine) 1978

Michel Juillot took over the domaine in 1963 and multiplied its operating area six fold in 20 years. Thanks to numerous experiences of trial and error, he eventually found his way and his recipe for quality. His son Laurent, after having travelled around the New World, returned in the 1990s and began to move the vineyard towards responsible and sustainable farming. In recent years, the installation of two meteorological stations has provided the Juillots with constant monitoring, making it possible to minimise the vagaries of the climate and spray less. This family success has greatly increased the prestige of the Mercurey appellation and he now exports to 26 countries.

The domaine’s Mercurey Premier Cru has aromas of ripe raspberry liqueur and spice. The palate is rich and generous with a very clean and persistent finish. It is slightly austere but opens up gradually and is best drunk in its first 10 years. To make this wine, the domaine harvests the berries by hand, sorts them meticulously on a table and de-stems them completely. Vinification is low intervention and makes use of indigenous yeasts, and the wine is matured for 18 months in oak barrels (25% new wood).